SCHENECTADY — Five people were arrested after a fight involving approximately 30 people at Rivers Casino & Resort on Sunday, authorities said.
During the brawl, Schenectady police officers found themselves surrounded, and one man faces a felony assault count for allegedly placing an officer in a headlock and injuring him, according to court documents.
The fight began at around 3 a.m. and stemmed from an argument between two people, according to Sgt. Jeffrey McCutcheon. It was unclear why the fight grew so large, however, since most of the people charged did not cooperate with police, McCutcheon said. The fight took place in the area of the food court.
Those arrested on various charges include: Donte Raysor, 28, of Albany; Malcolm Mathias, 26, of Gloversville; Manuel Gordon, 28, of Albany; Isaiah Mathias, 30, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Anthony Mathias, 30, of Albany.
Malcolm Mathias faces a felony second-degree assault charge, accused of placing city officer Charles Stevens in a head lock. Stevens suffered a cut to the left side of his head, according to court documents.
Malcolm Mathias also faces charges of resisting arrest, second-degree unlawful imprisonment, second-degree obstruction of governmental administration and second-degree riot, all misdemeanors.
Also charged with second-degree riot was Raysor. Malcolm Mathias is accused of riot by engaging "in a heated verbal dispute and closed-fist fight" with another man, leading to an eight-person fight. Raysor is accused punching an unnamed man, leading to the fight.
"The defendant's actions resulted in officers getting surrounded by 20 or more persons, getting attacked by other individuals and creating public alarm," state the charges against both men.
Gordon faces misdemeanor resisting arrest and violation disorderly conduct counts, accused of taking part in the fight and then struggling with officers. He appeared in court Monday and pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct. He is now banned for life from casino property, records show. The others arrested are due back in court at later dates.
Raysor faces misdemeanor riot and violation disorderly conduct charges. Isaiah Mathias and Anthony Mathias each face violation disorderly conduct counts.
Mutual aid was requested by police officers assigned to the casino, with members of the Rotterdam Police Department, Schenectady County Sheriff’s Office, Scotia Police Department and the Glenville Police Department responding for backup. McCutcheon said officers from those agencies were not needed to make the arrests.
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