Up to 100 people refused to leave a downtown Lawrence restaurant and bar Thursday morning, and many began throwing beer bottles and pieces of cinder blocks at police when they intervened.
Police arrested two men after the altercation at Dos Hombres, 815 N.H. One officer was struck in the face with a fist and another one was hit by a chunk of a cinderblock, but they didn't require medical treatment.
Sgt. George Wheeler said Dos Hombres employees began clearing the bar just prior to its 2 a.m. closing, but many of the people inside refused to leave. Police, nearby on routine patrol, arrived and many patrons went into the outside dining area in front of the bar.
At that point, Wheeler said, members of the crowd began throwing the objects.
"(Officers) were trying to move about 100 people into the parking lot," Wheeler said.
At one point, a 25-year-old Lawrence resident allegedly punched an officer in the face, and the two struggled on the ground. Another Lawrence resident, Kwam Nelson, 28, then grabbed the officer by the neck, Wheeler said.
The 25-year-old, arrested on charges of battery on a law enforcement officer, obstruction and disorderly conduct, was released without any charges being filed. Nelson, arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and obstruction, bonded out of the Douglas County Jail Thursday. His first court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 5.
-- Chris Koger's phone message number is 832-7126. His e-mail address is ckoger@ljworld.com.
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