JACKSON — Police officers responded to a brawl at the Veterans of Foreign Wars post on Magnolia Drive and arrested several individuals in the early morning hours of Oct. 10.
Jackson Police Capt. David Newman, uniform service commander, said the VFW had rented out its hall for a private party. Newman said no veterans were involved in the melee.
Officers responded to the scene at about 12:10 a.m. and found several groups of people who were fighting. Of an estimated 300 people at the VFW hall, about 100 individuals were involved in the incident, the captain said.
Jackson Police Officers David Watson, Jeremy Felder and Michael Goelz were the first responders on the scene.
Newman said representatives of a private security firm that had been hired for the event were apparently overwhelmed. The security personnel called for police assistance.
Police officers from Howell and Lakewood also responded, and order was eventually restored, he said.
Police arrested the following individuals:
• Denzel Morgan, 20, of Asbury Park, was charged with riot and resisting arrest.
• Addison Henderson, 19, of Asbury Park, was charged with riot and resisting arrest.
• Two juveniles were taken into custody — a 16-year-old male from Lakewood and a 17-year-old male from Jackson. Both juveniles were charged with riot and subsequently released to their parents.
Police said a 19-year-old Jackson resident who attended the party reported that he was the victim of a robbery. He apparently attempted to leave the event when the fighting began.
Police said the 19-year-old reported that three black males approached him in the parking lot of the VFW and asked him what he had in his pockets. The male told police he was repeatedly punched and kicked and that his $300 cell phone was taken from him.
The man was accompanied by his 16-year-old sister, who was punched in the face during the robbery, according to police.
The suspects who are responsible for the attack on the Jackson man and his sister have yet to be located.
Newman said one Jackson police officer received a minor hand injury during the incident.
Newman told the Tri-Town News on Oct. 15 there was nothing new to report in regard to this incident.