A violent video showing three Dirty Blondes bouncers beating on patrons outside the popular Fort Lauderdale Beach watering hole has gone viral since hitting the internet Sunday evening.
Two patrons, identified as Alexander Coelho, 29, and David Parker, were arrested and charged with battery and disorderly conduct after a fight broke out on the busy stretch of boardwalk.
The witness video shows the patrons being choked from behind, punched, and then thrown to the ground and stomped on the head. Comments from friends of the victims claim the incident was sparked when Coelho and his girlfriend requested to speak with a manager after receiving attitude from a bartender over drinks.
See also: Instagram Captures Dirty Blondes' Bouncers Beating Patron
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According to sources, the two patrons Coelho and Parker were arrested after fleeing and returning the scene an hour later, hoping to make their case to police. WSVN reports that the patrons have since bonded out of jail and hired an attorney.
While Dirty Blondes management declined comment when contacted yesterday afternoon, they did release a statement via their Facebook page, which has since been removed:
We deeply regret the matter, which occurred at Dirty Blondes at approximately 7:00pm on Sunday, July 28.This is by all accounts was an isolated incident, resulting when four patrons, two males and two females, were repeatedly asked to leave the bar.
While we do not condone the actions displayed in the 15-second video circulating, no further statements on what led up to, during or after the incident ensued will be issued until we review the matter internally with all parties involved.
The two men involved in the matter were subsequently arrested, one for pushing an officer after the incident, the other for returning to the property an hour later. At this time, no charges were made against any members of the staff, and management has pledged to cooperate with authorities should an investigation take place.
Management would however like to offer a sincere apology to patrons and those who bore witness to the unfortunate event while enjoying their Sunday afternoon.
After being flooded with hundreds of angry comments, the Dirty Blondes Facebook page has been taken down twice and is currently offline. A "Boycott Dirty Blondes" Facebook page went up last night and has already garnered over 2,000 likes.
County Grind is still awaiting details from the official incident report and will update this post once we have received them.
Read the Fort Lauderdale Police Department's statement and view the police report on the next page.
UPDATE: The Office of the Chief - Media Relations at the Fort Lauderdale Police Department has issued the following statement:
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is aware of the short clip that has been circulating via YouTube and social media, and we are looking into the details surrounding this incident.At this time there have been no reports filed with this agency depicting the incident that was captured on this video. The agency encourages both of the individuals arrested to come forward and file police reports regarding the altercation that took place prior to our arrival on scene. Incidents received by this agency will be given the professional and thorough attention that is deemed necessary.
The aforementioned 15 second video, is a disturbing clip, but it is also extremely short. Anyone with further information or video surveillance of the incident is encouraged to contact the Fort Lauderdale Police Department 954-828-5700.
An official probable cause affidavit filed by officer A. Baxter 1257 claims that defendant David Parker was issued a notice to appear for DOC after "fighting with security and resisting Officer DeCarlo... the Def. returned to the rear of Dirty Blondes and was challenging security to a fight in the street. I told the Def. to turn around and place his hands behind his back and that he was under arrest. The Def. took off running but was later arrested."
The affidavit for Coelho states that when the two were arrested, "both subjects had injuries and blood on them" and "both subjects were threatening the staff and trying to fight them."
Attempts have been made to contact Coelho and Parker directly for comment. We will update this post as more information comes in.
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