Fight turns to riot in Dewey Beach, crowd attacks police
Dewey Beach Police arrested five individuals in connection with a brawl early Sunday morning that quickly escalated into a riot.
On June 19 at approximately 1:25 a.m. a Dewey Beach Police Officer observed a fight in progress in the Ivy Restaurant parking lot at 136 Dagsworthy Avenue. Approximately 10 to 15 people were observed in the fight and the officer attempted to intervene. A call for assistance was made to the Dewey Beach Police Dispatch Center and additional officers began to arrive, according to the release.
The crowd rapidly increased in size, became more disorderly and several more fights began. The crowd expanded into the North Beach Restaurant parking lot next door, and several officers were engaged in physical altercations with members of the crowd.
The crowd increased to 50-60 people and the aggression shifted towards the Dewey Beach Police officers. Several individuals began to incite a riot by calling for people in the crowd to fight the police. Members of the crowd took several officers to the ground and kicked and punched them.
Officers from the Rehoboth Beach Police and Delaware State Police arrived to assist. The altercation lasted approximately 10 minutes until the situation was deemed under control.
One Dewey Beach Police officer suffered moderate injuries and three others received minor injuries. All were treated and released by the Rehoboth Beach Fire Department at the scene.
A total of five arrests were made as a result of this incident. Four individuals were committed to Sussex Correctional Institute. One was summonsed and released from the Dewey Beach Police Department.
Christopher Harris, 23 of Lincoln, was charged with riot, resisting arrest with violence, assault second degree and disorderly conduct. He was committed in lieu of $6,500 bond.
Justin Johnson, 20 of Milford, was charged with resisting arrest with violence, disorderly conduct and under age possession/consumption of Alcohol. He was committed in lieu of $1,000 bond.
Raven Bacon, 21 of Ellendale, was charged with resisting arrest with violence and disorderly conduct. She was committed in lieu of $500 bond.
Gabrielle Knight, 18 of Milford, was charged with resisting arrest with violence and disorderly conduct. She was committed in lieu of $500 bond.
Latre Bonville, 22 of Greenwood, was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. He was summonsed and released with case pending.