PROVIDENCE, RI -- Two men were charged with disorderly conduct after a melee near a Providence nightclub early Sunday morning. One of the men was also charged with assaulting a Providence police officer who tried to break up a fight.
The fight occurred about 3 a.m. in the parking lot of the Garrahy Judicial Complex after they left Club Karma on Richmond Street. The police said both men were "highly intoxicated."
Antonio Fernandes, 35, of 77 Spring St., Brockton, was charged with disorderly conduct as was Mcadoo Rodney, 23, of 67 Cary St., Brockton. Rodney was also charged with assaulting Ptlmn. Andrew Groot who had been assigned with other police officers to disperse a crowd that was causing a disturbance in the courthouse parking lot.
According to the police report, after police officers arrived at the parking lot, they saw Fernandes run over to a man, strike him and then kick him after the man fell to the ground. When Groot tried to intervene, Fernandes allegedly swung his arms in an attempt to hit the officer. Groot then struck Fernandes in the upper body several times before he and another officer tackled him and put him in handcuffs.
During the disturbance, Rodney alleged picked up a glass bottle and threw it at a group of people. When Groot went to grab him and take him into custody, Rodney allegedly struck him several times in the chest. Groot then struck Rodney in the upper body several times with closed fists, tackled him to the ground and placed him in handcuffs.
Both men were held overnight at police headquarters.
The report said that Rodney suffered abrasions to his hands and elbows in the scuffle.