MIDDLETOWN – A large fight broke out at a wedding reception being held Sunday at a reception hall and two were arrested, police said.
The fight at Jacques Reception Center on Palmer Avenue occurred at about 10:30 p.m. Sgt. 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, according to detective Lt. Stephen Dollinger.
As officers from Middletown were attempting to gain control of the situation, about 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, Dollinger said.
Police arrested Jonathan Accardi, 32, from Oceanside, N.Y., who was charged with obstructing the administration of law and disorderly conduct and Emily George, 23, from Haledon, who was charged with disorderly conduct, according to the lieutenant.
Accardi and George were transported to police headquarters where they were processed and released pending a court date.
