Pittsburgh detectives might have won an alcohol-fueled bar fight with members of the Pagans Motorcycle Club, resulting in criminal charges against four of the bikers.
But in Allegheny County Court on Wednesday, the four charged bikers scored a knockout, as prosecutors dropped all the charges against them amid an FBI probe of the bar fight.
As TribLive in Pittsburgh reports, the case based on allegations by the detectives that the bikers started the brawl simply fell apart once surveillance video and witness statements were gathered.
District Attorney’s Office spokesman Mike Manko said as much in a terse statement after the charges were dropped:
“The withdrawal of the charges was based on evidentiary reason and issues, and our office reserves the option of refiling.”
With that, aggravated assault, conspiracy and riot against four of the bikers -- Frank Deluca, 36, of Greenfield; Michael Zokaites, 38, of Shaler; Erik Heitzenrater, 28, of Hampton; and Bruce Thomas, 61, of Pittsburgh -- were withdrawn.
The Pittsburgh detectives were said to be investigating drug activity in the bar on the night of Oct. 11.
And in wake of the brawl with bikers shortly after midnight, police wrote in the criminal complaint against the four men that Deluca initiated the fight when he shoved one of the officers, sparking an all-out brawl.
But as TribLive writes, security footage from inside the bar showed one undercover officer punching Deluca in the head at least a dozen times. Guns were found on two of the Pagans following the brawl, and police have said the men were carrying the firearms legally -- and there were no weapons charges brought.
Finally, the owner of Kopy’s bar on Pittsburgh’s South Side swore in an affidavit that the undercover officers came in about 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11 and identified themselves as construction workers. They ordered alcoholic drinks, drank heavily, and the Pagans came in about 11:30 p.m., sitting at the opposite end of the bar.
“On several occasions, the undercover officers called me over and made statements indicating that they had an issue with the bikers at the other side of the bar,” bar owner Stephen Kopy wrote. “Each time, I discouraged them from taking action.”
Alas, the brawl broke out soon thereafter.
The FBI, along with various city review boards, continue to investigate the incident.
https://www.pennlive.com/daily-buzz/2018/11/pagans-who-brawled-with-cops-in-bar-score-ko-in-court.html
But in Allegheny County Court on Wednesday, the four charged bikers scored a knockout, as prosecutors dropped all the charges against them amid an FBI probe of the bar fight.
As TribLive in Pittsburgh reports, the case based on allegations by the detectives that the bikers started the brawl simply fell apart once surveillance video and witness statements were gathered.
District Attorney’s Office spokesman Mike Manko said as much in a terse statement after the charges were dropped:
“The withdrawal of the charges was based on evidentiary reason and issues, and our office reserves the option of refiling.”
With that, aggravated assault, conspiracy and riot against four of the bikers -- Frank Deluca, 36, of Greenfield; Michael Zokaites, 38, of Shaler; Erik Heitzenrater, 28, of Hampton; and Bruce Thomas, 61, of Pittsburgh -- were withdrawn.
The Pittsburgh detectives were said to be investigating drug activity in the bar on the night of Oct. 11.
And in wake of the brawl with bikers shortly after midnight, police wrote in the criminal complaint against the four men that Deluca initiated the fight when he shoved one of the officers, sparking an all-out brawl.
But as TribLive writes, security footage from inside the bar showed one undercover officer punching Deluca in the head at least a dozen times. Guns were found on two of the Pagans following the brawl, and police have said the men were carrying the firearms legally -- and there were no weapons charges brought.
Finally, the owner of Kopy’s bar on Pittsburgh’s South Side swore in an affidavit that the undercover officers came in about 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11 and identified themselves as construction workers. They ordered alcoholic drinks, drank heavily, and the Pagans came in about 11:30 p.m., sitting at the opposite end of the bar.
“On several occasions, the undercover officers called me over and made statements indicating that they had an issue with the bikers at the other side of the bar,” bar owner Stephen Kopy wrote. “Each time, I discouraged them from taking action.”
Alas, the brawl broke out soon thereafter.
The FBI, along with various city review boards, continue to investigate the incident.
https://www.pennlive.com/daily-buzz/2018/11/pagans-who-brawled-with-cops-in-bar-score-ko-in-court.html