Two guests were arrested late Sunday night following a melee involving an estimated 300 people at a wedding reception in Middletown, police reported.
Here’s an account of the incident prepared by MTPD spokesman Lieutenant Steve Dollinger:
On July 27, 2014 at approximately 10:30 pm a large fight broke out at a wedding reception being held at Jacques Reception Hall located on Palmer Avenue in Middletown. Sergeant First Class William Colangelo and Patrolman Frank Mazza were working the reception as an off-duty assignment when they were alerted to a fight taking place.
The officers attempted to break up the fight when the crowd swelled to about 80 people who were pushing and shoving each other while screaming and yelling. The officers radioed for additional units who responded and attempted to disperse the crowd.
As officers from Middletown were attempting to gain control of the situation approximately 300 people became involved in the altercation which consisted of fighting, yelling and screaming and people refusing to leave the area and return inside to the reception.
The Middletown Police officers requested assistance from surrounding police departments. Officers from Keansburg, Holmdel and Hazlet Police Departments responded to the scene. Supervisors on scene determined that it was necessary to shut down the wedding and have everyone leave the area. Officers were able to disperse the crowd in approximately 45 minutes.
Police say that they arrested Jonathan Accardi, age 32, from Waterview Road in Oceanside, NY, for Obstructing the Administration of Law and Disorderly Conduct and Emily George, age 23, from john Street in Haledon, NJ, for Disorderly Conduct. Both subjects were transported to police headquarters where they were processed and released pending a court date.
