Crime & Safety

Five Charged After Brawl Outside Shish Lounge

One man was tasered and pepper-sprayed by West Hartford Police before he could be subdued.

West Hartford Police arrested five men early Friday morning on a variety of charges resulting from a large fight that occurred outside Shish Lounge.

Police said that they were called to the scene at 12:51 a.m. Friday by the owner of the Shish Lounge on a report of a "disturbance among his guests" as they were exiting the lounge.

Upon arrival on the scene, police said they found Shish security personnel attempting to restrain one person in the middle of a large crowd.

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"When we got there they were already fighting," said West Hartford Police Capt. Donald Melanson. Additional officers were called to assist in what Melanson called a "tumultuous scene."

The individual in the middle of the crowd, Raymond Rodriguez, 28, of 66 Wadsworth St., Manchester, was resistant to the efforts of security and police to restrain him, requiring the use of a taser and pepper spray in order to be subdued.

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Police said that numerous people, including security personnel, reported being punched in the face during the brawl. According to police, one victim was bitten on the arm, causing extensive bleeding and bruising, and was treated on the scene by EMS personnel but refused to go to the hospital.

Rodriguez was charged with interfering with an officer, second-degree breach of peace, second-degree assault, and third-degree assault. He was released on $25,000 surety bond.

Shish security identified three other men as "active combatants," police said and they were arrested for their involvement.

Luis Martinez, 33, of 97 Putnam St., Hartford, was charged with second-degree breach of peace and third-degree assault and released on $2,500 non-surety bond. Victor Davila, 23, of 99 Russ St., Hartford, was charged with second-degree breach of peace and released on $1,000 non-surety bond. Cristobal Tifa, 39, of 851 Wethersfield Ave., Apt A1, Hartford was charged with second-degree breach of peace and released on $1,000 non-surety bond.

Carlos Lopez, 21, was also charged after Officer Dibella noticed him yelling and pulling at Officer Christian from behind as Christian was attempting to arrest Rodriguez, police said. Lopez, of 55 Sergeant St., Hartford, was charged with interfering with an officer and released on $5,000 surety bond.


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