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Police Officer Assaulted, 4 Arrested at District Bar on Water St. in Worcester

By Patrick Sargent | March 29, 2019
Last Updated: February 2, 2021

WORCESTER – An incident at District Bar and Nightclub on Water St. in Worcester early Friday morning resulted in the assault of a Worcester Police officer and the arrest of four men.

Around 1 AM on Friday, an officer working an off-duty assignment at District was called over to the dance floor for a disturbance. Several people were spraying beer on the crowd and were being asked to leave by security. While the WPD officer was assisting in removing the unruly patrons, 32-year-old Concepcion Rodriguez began to taunt the staff and refused to leave. He then shoved the officer and got into a fighting stance.

The officer called for backup and attempted to place Rodriguez under arrest. Rodriguez punched the officer on the left side of the head and the officer attempted to bring Rodriguez to the ground. While the officer was trying to place handcuffs on Rodriguez, another male, Gabriel Rivera, 23, of 15 May St, tried to push the officer off Rodriguez.

Rivera grabbed the officer’s radio and removed it from the officer’s belt, keeping the officer from calling for help or updating the other responding officers. A bystander helped to push Rivera away from the officer.

Rodriguez got to his feet and ran across Water St., but the officer was able to catch him and take him to the ground. Several more people followed the officer and attempted to prevent the arrest. Rivera then kicked the officer in the hands and the chest to keep him from handcuffing Rodriguez.

A third male, Eric Rojas, 23, of Spencer, began punching the officer in the back of the head. Assisting officers arrived and grabbed Rojas who turned to fight the assisting officer. A K9 officer and arrived and the K9 bit Rojas’ calf. Rojas complied and was placed in handcuffs.

The original officer was finally able to place Rodriguez in handcuffs and the other officers arrested Rivera. As the three men were being arrested, a fourth male — 22-year-old Miguel Diaz of 25 Columbia St. — shoved an officer that was attempting to keep the crowd back. Diaz was also placed under arrest.

Eric Rojas is charged with Disturbing the Peace, Disorderly Person, Resisting Arrest, and Assault and Battery on a Police Officer. He was treated medically for the dog bite. Gabriel Rivera is charged with Disturbing the Peace, Disorderly Person, Resisting Arrest, Assault and Battery on a Police Officer, Disarming a Police Officer (Radio), and Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon (shod foot). Concepcion Rodriguez is charged with Disturbing the Peace, Disorderly Person, Resisting Arrest, and Assault and Battery on a Police Officer. Miguel Diaz is charged with Resisting Arrest, Disorderly Conduct, Assault and Battery on a Police Officer, and Intimidation of a Witness.

All four men will be arraigned in Worcester District Court.

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