By Donita Naylor
Providence Journal
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A large disturbance between police and patrons of an after-hours biker hangout on Charles Street resulted in 17 arrests. Police also seized a weapon in an incident that began just before 3 a.m. Sunday.
As Ptlm. Nate Colicci wrote in his report, he was ticketing illegally parked cars and had ordered a tow to remove an unregistered vehicle. A patron at 403 Charles St. went to the vehicle, a Nissan Armada with plates that didn’t match its registration, and began reaching around in the passenger compartment.
He was later identified as Joe Nadal, 27. Colicci ordered Nadal out of the vehicle, but Nadal didn’t comply, Colicci wrote. “I then grabbed ahold of Nadal’s arm in attempt to remove him from the vehicle. As I grabbed ahold of Nadal, he turned his body towards me in an aggressive manner and forcefully pushed me away causing me to stumble backwards. Myself and assisting officers took Nadal to the ground and placed him in handcuffs.”
A large group “began to circle myself and assisting officers as we were taking Nadal into custody. It should be noted: 403 Charles St. is a known after-hours party location utilized by the motorcycle club ‘Untitled,’” Colicci wrote.
One patron, Daryl Holloway, 35, of Stoughton, Massachusetts, shoved Sgt. John Bento to prevent him from entering the parking area of 403 Charles St. Holloway was taken into custody.
Gerkenns Almonor, 37, of Attleboro, Massachusetts, who was also blocking the lot, told officers, “I got you all on camera and I’m gonna call my people.” Asked if that was a threat, he took a fighting stance and said, “What’s up?” He yelled obscenities as other patrons held him back. Police tried to take him into custody, but he broke away and fled to the back of the lot, where he was tackled and eventually sprayed in the face and handcuffed, the report said.
Police, outnumbered, were surrounded by a combative circle that began closing in. Bento called for more units from around the city.
Marijuana and a holster were taken from John Eardley, 43, of Milton, Mass. Eardley had reached toward his waistband and ignored commands to put his hands behind his back. He suffered several punches to the face aimed at stopping him from accessing a possible weapon. He was checked out by EMTs for a nosebleed. Later, a 9mm Smith & Wesson was found in the courtyard on the side of the building that is closest to Charles Street.
As police tried to clear the building, courtyard and surrounding area, “a complete melee took place requiring the prisoner transport van to arrive on scene,” the report said. Officers used force to gain access to one room where two people had barricaded themselves behind a locked door.
The following were arrested and taken to Central Station, where they appeared before a bail commissioner Sunday. Nadal of Providence and Holloway were charged with simple assault, obstructing police, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Holloway faces an additional charge of threatening a public official.
Didier Devy, 27, of Randolph, Mass., was charged with obstruction and disorderly conduct, as were Juan Morales, 23, and Jose Tavares, 46, both of Providence; Ricardo Semexant, 33, of Boston; Ricardo Gomes, 30, of Fall River, Mass.; Jose Alves, 49, of Westport, Mass.; Messiah Ridgley, 43, of New Bedford, Mass.; Derek Tambi, 30, of Chelsea, Mass.; Luis Salaman, 39, of New Haven, Connecticut; Julio Midy, 40, of Milton, Mass.; Obinna Ojimba, 29, of Taunton, Mass.; Eardley; Hector Viruet, 37, of Providence; and Dianne Tavares, 47, of Providence.
All were given arraignment dates and released.
Deputy Chief Thomas Verdi, commander of the uniform division, commended the actions of his officers and said it was fortunate that none were injured.
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