After Attack on Officer Near Stamford Nightclub, 7 Arrested

Five officers were taken to the hospital with injuries and four remained out on injury leave per doctor's orders following an altercation between police officers and a large crowd out front of a Stamford nightclub over the weekend, police said Monday.

Early Saturday morning, Sgt. John Scalise was writing a ticket on a vehicle out front of the Atlantic Street nightclub Elite close to the establishment's closing time when he was confronted by what police called a "loud, belligerent club-goer."

According to authorities, this man, identified by police as Anthony Vines, 30, of Washington Boulevard, allegedly sucker-punched Scalise, knocking him to the ground. Two other officers in the area who had witnessed the attack gave chase to Vines, but had trouble moving through the gathering crowd, police said. 

"Don't let them take me," Vines allegedly yelled to the crowd, according to police.

It was then that Scalise called in the most serious call an officer can make: Code 30, officer down. This is an all-hand-on-deck, drop-what-you're-doing call to which any officer on duty, either in the building or on the road, will respond.

Unfortunately, not all free hands could join, as other officers were in the middle of handling a stabbing that occurred in the Southwoods Square Housing Complex.

Responding officers pepper-sprayed many of the allegedly unruly members of the crowd and made several arrests, including those who were interfering with the initial chase for Vines, who was also caught and arrested. 

Along with Scalise, officers injured during the scuffle included Officer Luis Valez, Officer Luis Vidal, Officer Thomas Pjatak and Officer Fred Raman.

Vines was charged with inciting a riot, second-degree assault, causing a public disturbance and interfering with police. He was held on $250,000 bond and was due in court Monday.

All of the following six suspects were held on the same $10,000 unless noted otherwise and face the same charges of first-degree rioting, third-degree criminal trespass and interfering with police:

• Candice Scott, 28, of Farmcrest Dr. in Waterbury.
• Charles Burnes, 29, of Maple St. in Bridgeport.
• Keon Vines, 31, of Girrard St. in Norwalk.
• Jeremy Roberts, 29, of Perry St. held on $10,000 bond.
• Frank Green, 20, of Liberty St.
• Andrew Bryant, 29, of Perry St. Additionally charged with assault on a police officer. Released on $100,000 bond.

***

Other Arrests

Keith Roy Adams, 29, of Edson Ave. in Bronx, CT, was charged Sunday evening with violation of a protective order.

Martisa Marie Chambers, 22, of Suncrest Rd. in Norwalk, was charged early Saturday with sixth-degree larceny.

Jayro Saudi Garcia, 37, of Washington Blvd., was charged early Sunday with third-degree assault, second-degree breach of peace and conspiracy to commit third-degree assault.

Brenda V Garcia, 35, of Washington Blvd., was charged early Sunday with third-degree assault, second-degree breach of peace and conspiracy to commit third-degree assault.

Mitchell Ernest Rosedom, 32, of Wardell St., was charged early Sunday with interfering with an officer/resisting. 

Darnell Craig Vaugn, 29, of Perry St., was charged early Sunday with second-degree breach of peace, interfering with an officer and attempted assault on a police officer.