Man With Bat Arrested Outside Vince's Crabhouse: Police

MIDDLE RIVER, MD — A man was arrested Saturday, June 20, after police said he threatened protesters with a bat outside Vince's Crabhouse in Middle River. He had been arguing and appeared intoxicated, according to officials.

Police said officers were already at the location in the 600 block of Compass Road when the man, who had exchanged words with the demonstrators, went to his car, got a bat and was approaching the protesters at 5:16 p.m. when law enforcement intervened.

Keith Francis Duvall, of the 700 block of Fifth Avenue in Halethorpe, was charged with second-degree assault, driving while impaired by alcohol and disorderly conduct.

The arrest came two weeks after protests began at the crabhouse once derogatory social media posts by the owner, Vince Meyer, came to light.

Meyer closed his five Vince's Crabhouse locations June 6 for more than a week. Vince's Crabhouse has locations in Fallston, Dundalk, Middle River, North Point and Manchester.

When the restaurants reopened Monday, June 15, the Baltimore Sun reported police and private security were on site, and so were protesters.

Vince's Crabhouse posted at 12:40 p.m. on Saturday, June 20, that the business was open and "protestors have been pushed to the street."

Several hours later, the arrest occurred.

One woman, who believed the man with the bat was coming after her, told WBAL that he said to her: "I have something for you," before he went to his car and got what she feared was a gun. He yelled "white power" at protesters, WBAL reported.

After Duvall was arrested, police said he was treated at an area hospital for a medical condition. He was released on his own recognizance Wednesday, June 24.

See Also:

• Owner Of Vince's Crabhouse Plans To Reopen Restaurants: Report
• Vince's Crabhouse Closes All Locations For 9 Days After Protests