Police: Three Arrested, Charged with "Inciting Riot" Outside South Meriden Bar

Three people were arrested after a large after-hours fight broke out in the parking lot of the Village Barn Bar early Sunday morning – one which caused Meriden Police to call in state troopers and units from Southington and Cheshire to help disperse the crowd.

At approximately 2 a.m. on Sunday, September 11th, officers responded to a call of people fighting in the parking lot near 16 River Rd. in South Meriden, Meriden Police said.

Four units were sent to the bar. Upon arriving, officers saw what looked like a group of 50 people in the parking lot involved in the scuffle and called for all available units to respond, Meriden Police Spokesman Sgt. Leonard Caponigro said Monday.

According to the police report, there were a number of fights occuring at the same time. Cheshire Police, Southington Police, and Connecticut State Police also responded to the scene.

Three people were arrested during the fray and each was charged with inciting a riot in the second degree, second degree breach of peace and interfering with police in addition to other individual charges, according to police.

Jazman Aponte, 31, of 243 Kensington Avenue in Meriden, was arrested and charged with inciting a riot in the second degree, interfering with police, breach of peace in the second degree and attempted assault in the third degree. Aponte has a scheduled court date at 9/23/11 with a bond of $5,000.

Jason Rivera, 30, from 243 Kensington Avenue in Meriden, was arrested and charged with inciting a riot in the second degree, interfering with police, and breach of peace. Rivera has a scheduled court date of 9/23/11 and a bond of $1,000.

Sadie McIntosh, 34, from 50 Elizabeth Road in Meriden was arrested and charged with inciting a riot in the second degree, interfering with police, breach of peace, reckless driving, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, and possession with intent to sell within 1500 feet of a school zone. McIntosh has a scheduled court date of 9/23/11 and a $50,000 bond.

Aside from other penalties, a conviction on the charge of inciting a riot in the second degree prohibits those convicted from applying for a pistol permit under Connecticut law in the future, making it illegal for him or her to possess a gun.

Rob Wanta, the bartender on duty Saturday night and Village Barn employee since 2006, said Monday that he did not know the motives behind the fight.

“It was right after close, I went out and checked on the noise and saw the fight in the Avanti’s parking lot. It seemed there were only a few people actually fighting while the rest were trying to break it up," Wanta said.

His estimate of those fighting was smaller than that of the police, saying it seemed to him there were 10-15 people involved.

"Thankfully the police broke up everything quick and cleared the parking lot without any real problems,” Wanta said. "I was glad...that it seemed that the people who were fighting weren’t regulars."