First, there was Romeo and Juliet. Then West Side Story. Now ...

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. -- A couple arguing about which gang their 4-year-old toddler should join caused a public disturbance that resulted in the father's arrest, Commerce City police said Thursday, reported KMGH-TV in Denver.

On Saturday, Joseph Manzanares stormed into a video rental store where his girlfriend worked, threatened to kill her and knocked over several video displays and even a computer, Commerce City police Sgt. Joe Sandoval said.

After he ran out of the store, police were called and the 19-year-old was arrested at his home.

His girlfriend told police that they had been arguing about the upbringing of their son and which gang he should belong to. The teen mother, who is black, told authorities she is a member of the Crips, police said. Manzanares is Hispanic and belongs to the Westside Ballers gang, the woman told police.

"They have different ideas on how the baby should be raised. Basically, she said they cannot agree on which gang the baby would 'claim,'" Sandoval said.

Manzanares was charged with disorderly conduct, harassment, and domestic violence. He was transported to the Adams County Detention Facility.

On Tuesday, he pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and was sentenced to 12 months of probation and ordered to pay $835 in court costs, according to the Denver Post. The misdemeanor harassment charge was dropped.

 

That is a ridiculous argument.

The son always joins the dad's gang. Duh.

 

Maybe this kid is the chosen one and he'll unite all the warring gangs.

"Born of a Crip and a Baller, too;
Little Manzanee couldn't find his crew.
But with strength and diplomacy, and intelligence as well,
the Chosen One united them and brought them out of Hell."

 

Is the kid named Cyrus?

 

At least they care about his future!!

 

This would be funny if it wasn't so depressing.

 

I don't know why anybody would want to be a Crip if he could be a Westside Baller.

 

Maybe the kid's name is Skee-Lo.

I wish I was a little bit taller.
I wish I was a Westside Baller.
I wish I had a girl, I would call her.
I wish I had a rabbit in a hat with a bat and a 64 Impala.

 

This is crazy.

Everyone knows you need to decide on your tot's gang before preschool.

Get with the program, people.

 

I understand that if you want to position your preschooler for an Ivy League acceptance, Westside Ballers looks better on the application.

 

Depends on the school's diversity needs. And, of course, school colors. That can get bloody.