MANALAPAN — Two people were arrested following their alleged involvement in a fight at the Olde Silver Tavern, Route 522, that led to an assault on a police officer.
Responding to a call from the Olde Silver Tavern at 12:28 a.m. Feb. 16, off-duty Manalapan officers Peter Curran, Charles Mazzatto and Richard Gallo pulled into the parking lot of the tavern when they were flagged down by the manager.
"As the two individuals (who were involved in the fight) were leaving the parking lot three off-duty officers arrived at the Olde Silver Tavern," said Manalapan Police Capt. Stuart Brown. "They were flagged down by the manager and were told that there was a fight and the individuals involved were just leaving the premises."
Patrolman Robert Mullin responded to a call for assistance from the three off-duty officers and after arriving at a location on Argyle Lane, near Symmes Drive, observed Nicholas Neri Jr., 45, of Tennent Road, and a 16-year-old male verbally arguing with the three officers, Brown said.
According to a report Mullin prepared, when the officers attempted to place Neri in handcuffs, both subjects became physically combative and Neri attempted to gain control of Mullin’s firearm.
Gallo sprayed pepper spray at the juvenile and both subjects were then arrested and transported to police headquarters where they were processed.
The juvenile was taken to the Monmouth County Youth Detention Center, Freehold Township, and Neri was lodged in the Monmouth County jail, Freehold Township, in lieu of $10,000 bail.
Neri and the juvenile were each charged with resisting arrest, aggravated assault and aggravated assault on a police officer. Mullin is the investigating officer.
—Dave Benjamin