Steamy tempers lead to serious charges

2010-07-27

By Adrienne Leon

Two female employees at a local dry cleaners are facing a slew of charges after "fighting over clothes" last Thursday. The dispute resulted in one of the women going to the hospital after the co-worker pulled out a gun, threatening to kill her, Fayetteville Police officials said.

Malinda James of Atlanta and Adelina Bravo-Ricardes of Riverdale were taken into custody for their involvement in the melee at the One Hour Martinizing Dry Cleaners at 110 Kathi Ave.

James, also known as Malinda Jones, is facing multiple charges including carrying a concealed weapon, aggravated assault, battery, obstruction of an officer and disorderly conduct. Bravo-Ricardes is being charged with battery, the use of fighting words and fighting in a public place, reported Capt. Jeff Harris of the Fayetteville Police Department.

Harris said it is still unclear how the argument escalated between the employees, but the RG 38 special revolver James allegedly used to threaten her co-worker was loaded when police recovered it the day after the incident occurred.

"They began cursing and calling each other names and slapping each other," the captain explained.

According to witnesses statements', James pushed down Bravos-Ricardes, injuring her left shoulder sometime when the altercation happened, Harris said.

"James then went to her car to get a gun, came back and pointed it to her co-worker's face, saying 'I'm gonna kill you [expletive].'"

Harris said James had left the scene by the time police arrived to diffuse the situation. He noted when they finally tracked down James the next day, she was uncooperative about the whereabouts of the gun.

However, police said they are thankful the weapon has been recovered and none of the witnesses were hurt as a result of incident. Bravos-Ricardes was taken to a nearby hospital to treat the shoulder injury she suffered on the scene. Both women are awaiting a bond hearing at the Fayette County Jail.

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