By Staff reports —
LAKEPORT — Four law enforcement agencies responded to a Lakeport restaurant Saturday night to break up a series of fights, according to Police Chief Brad Rasmussen.
The incident occurred around 11 p.m. Saturday at TJ”s Downtown Bar and Grill on South Main Street in Lakeport.
The first Lakeport Police Department (LPD) officer on scene witnessed 25 people outside the restaurant, some of whom were involved in one of three separate fights, Rasmussen said. Lake County Sheriff”s Office deputies, California Highway Patrol officers and California State Parks rangers were also dispatched, he said.
TJ”s staff members soon contacted the LPD officer and pointed out a group of four men who reportedly assaulted restaurant workers and patrons inside the bar, the chief said.
The officer approached the four men and ordered them to go to the ground, but the subjects became abusive and ignored the commands, according to Rasmussen. The men allegedly resisted, obstructed and challenged the officer.
Rasmussen said at one point two of the men “advanced on the officer,” forcing him to discharge his Taser, which struck one of the men before all four fled the scene.
The men were soon located nearby, Rasmussen said. All four were arrested on misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct, battery and resisting a peace officer.
Rasmussen identified the men as Kelseyville residents Pablo Juan Arredondo, 29; Jose Antonio Rico, 31; Francisco Martinez Rico, 25; and Gerardo Rico Martinez, 24.
Authorities allege the men battered and injured four restaurant staff members as the workers looked into a report that the men harassed a woman patron. The injuries included cuts, bruises, bite marks and a broken finger, according to Rasmussen.
The incident remains under investigation by LPD Officer Jarvis Leishman.
