Off-duty Westwood cop, others, charged in Milford bar fights
By Sara Withee / News Staff Writer
Tuesday, February 17, 2004
MILFORD -- Closing time at a local bar over the weekend erupted into a parking-lot melee, ending with the arrest of four people, including an off-duty Westwood cop who has been placed on administrative leave.
Police from six area towns responded when the fights erupted at the American Athletic Club early Saturday morning.
Detail officers working at the AAC called for outside help just before 2 a.m., after employees tried to break up a fist fight on the dance floor between Ricky Tomasello, 28, of Canton and another man, police said.
The parking lot outside the East Main Street bar was even worse, detail officers said.
"The parking lot crowd was out of control," Sgt. David Sacco said in a police report. "I estimate, at one point, at least 25-30 people were involved in some kind of physical altercation."
Inside, Tomasello and an unidentified man -- for whom police are now seeking an arrest warrant -- parted as the crowd moved toward the door, police said, only for the other man to fight with a man identified as Westwood Police Officer Ryan McCarthy.
Milford Officer Sacco and a private citizen tried to separate the two men, but McCarthy pushed past them and placed the other other man in a headlock, police said.
When the man broke free, he punched McCarthy in the head, police said.
McCarthy, 25, was charged with two counts of assault and battery and disorderly conduct.
He faces one assault charge for fighting with the unnamed man and one for later hitting Dennis Keefe, 25, of Hopedale, police said.
On the job in Westwood since last March, McCarthy has been placed on administrative leave while the department investigates whether he violated any of its rules or regulations, Sgt. Leo Hoban said yesterday.
He will continue to draw his $750-per-week salary during the review, Police Chief William Chase said.
Keefe, meanwhile, was charged with disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace and assault and battery, police said.
Tomasello was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Police say he made three attempts to run.
Stacey Boyd, 23, of Milford, was also charged with disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace and resisting arrest. Police say Boyd was yelling and cursing in the parking lot while standing in the way of exiting vehicles.
Boyd refused police requests to stop blocking the cars and swung at an officer when he reached for her arm, police said.
She continued to struggle, leaving Sacco and Milford police officers Nicholas Sullo and Paul Castiglione unable to put her in handcuffs.
After warning Boyd, the officers placed her on the ground stomach-to-pavement and arrested her, police said.
Another 25-year-old man from Hopkinton was also placed in protective custody before the officers from Milford, Medway, Hopedale, Mendon and Holliston cleared the bar.
Boyd, Tomasello, McCarthy and Keefe will all be arraigned in Milford District Court Thursday, police said.
News staff writer Parna Sarkar-Basu contributed to this report.
By Sara Withee / News Staff Writer
Tuesday, February 17, 2004
MILFORD -- Closing time at a local bar over the weekend erupted into a parking-lot melee, ending with the arrest of four people, including an off-duty Westwood cop who has been placed on administrative leave.
Police from six area towns responded when the fights erupted at the American Athletic Club early Saturday morning.
Detail officers working at the AAC called for outside help just before 2 a.m., after employees tried to break up a fist fight on the dance floor between Ricky Tomasello, 28, of Canton and another man, police said.
The parking lot outside the East Main Street bar was even worse, detail officers said.
"The parking lot crowd was out of control," Sgt. David Sacco said in a police report. "I estimate, at one point, at least 25-30 people were involved in some kind of physical altercation."
Inside, Tomasello and an unidentified man -- for whom police are now seeking an arrest warrant -- parted as the crowd moved toward the door, police said, only for the other man to fight with a man identified as Westwood Police Officer Ryan McCarthy.
Milford Officer Sacco and a private citizen tried to separate the two men, but McCarthy pushed past them and placed the other other man in a headlock, police said.
When the man broke free, he punched McCarthy in the head, police said.
McCarthy, 25, was charged with two counts of assault and battery and disorderly conduct.
He faces one assault charge for fighting with the unnamed man and one for later hitting Dennis Keefe, 25, of Hopedale, police said.
On the job in Westwood since last March, McCarthy has been placed on administrative leave while the department investigates whether he violated any of its rules or regulations, Sgt. Leo Hoban said yesterday.
He will continue to draw his $750-per-week salary during the review, Police Chief William Chase said.
Keefe, meanwhile, was charged with disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace and assault and battery, police said.
Tomasello was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Police say he made three attempts to run.
Stacey Boyd, 23, of Milford, was also charged with disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace and resisting arrest. Police say Boyd was yelling and cursing in the parking lot while standing in the way of exiting vehicles.
Boyd refused police requests to stop blocking the cars and swung at an officer when he reached for her arm, police said.
She continued to struggle, leaving Sacco and Milford police officers Nicholas Sullo and Paul Castiglione unable to put her in handcuffs.
After warning Boyd, the officers placed her on the ground stomach-to-pavement and arrested her, police said.
Another 25-year-old man from Hopkinton was also placed in protective custody before the officers from Milford, Medway, Hopedale, Mendon and Holliston cleared the bar.
Boyd, Tomasello, McCarthy and Keefe will all be arraigned in Milford District Court Thursday, police said.
News staff writer Parna Sarkar-Basu contributed to this report.
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