Glen Burnie Bar Fight Gunman Convicted

GLEN BURNIE, MD — A Pennsylvania man who faced weapons charges after pointing a pistol at customers outside a Glen Burnie bar during an argument has been convicted of assault, authorities say. Michael Ceresa, 28, of Glassport, Pennsylvania, was found guilty Thursday of two counts of first-degree assault, use of a firearm in a crime of violence, transporting a handgun within a vehicle, and carrying a handgun on person.

The scuffle was reported April 26, 2016, in the parking lot at Sidelines Bar, 105 Chesapeake Center Court in Glen Burnie, according to Anne Arundel County Police. Prosecutors say after a man accidentally fell on Ceresa's vehicle, Ceresa got out of his car and argued with the man and his companion. Two bystanders intervened in an attempt to de-escalate the argument, and Ceresa then retreated to his vehicle.

Rather than leave the parking lot, however, authorities say Ceresa took a 8mm handgun out of his car, pointed the weapon at all four onlookers, and verbally threatened their lives.

"While I respect people's right to own a gun, under no circumstances is it OK to point a loaded weapon at innocent people," said Anne Arundel County State's Attorney Wes Adams in a news release. "His behavior was reckless and endangered our community."

Ceresa and his companion, Alayna Eve Rhodes, also of Glassport PA, drove away from the bar, Anne Arundel County Police say. Witnesses gave officers a description of the duo and their vehicle. An officer saw the vehicle driving onto the lot of the Extended Stay Hotel, where the couple’s vehicle was stopped.

When police searched the vehicle they found a Ruger 9mm pistol in the passenger compartment with a full magazine for the pistol, along with a loaded Glock .40 caliber pistol in the trunk of the vehicle. Both suspects were arrested. Surveillance cameras in the parking lot of the bar captured the incident on video.

Ceresa was sentenced to five years in prison without the possibility of parole.

Rhodes was charged with handgun in vehicle and disorderly conduct.

The bar's owner said the people involved in the fracas had no contact inside the business and Sidelines had no involvement in the incident.
»Photo of Michael Ceresa, courtesy of Anne Arundel County Police