Brawling at club nets 2 arrests

BELLEVILLE –

Two patrons were arrested following fisticuffs at a Belleville strip club on the night of Jan. 16, Belleville Police said.

At 10:30 p.m., police responded to the Wet Gentlemen’s Club at Belleville and Union Aves. on a report of security personnel being assaulted.

Police said two of the patrons, Gary Matarazzo, 45, of Lyndhurst, and Eric Matarazzo, of Jersey City, got into an argument with the two bouncers at the club and were asked to leave but, instead, began punching the staff.

After four township police officers arrived, the men allegedly began fighting with the officers as well and Gary Matarazzo allegedly punched one of the officers, police said.

No one was seriously hurt in the brawling, police said.

Gary Matarazzo was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and two counts of simple assault.

Additionally, police said Gary Matarazzo was charged with possession of drugs, possession of drugs with intent to distribute and possession of drugs with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school after officers allegedly found 91 pills identified as oxycodone, a narcotic painkiller drug, on him.

Police said that Eric Matarazzo was charged with two counts of simple assault, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

Both men were released on bail pending a municipal court hearing scheduled for Jan. 29.

Police said no ABC-related charges have been filed against the club’s management. “They were fully cooperative,” one police superior said.

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