Man Fails to Beat Up Police at Somerville Bar, Say Police

An incident at Michael’s Bar in Somerville began with a 44-year-old Malden man refusing to let a female patron leave the establishment, escalated into a “profanity-laced tirade,” and ended with a blast of pepper spray, according to police documents.

Somerville Police say they were summoned to Michael’s at around 10:22 p.m. on Monday, March 2, to escort a woman apparently being harassed by Patrick Courtney, of 202 Oliver St., Malden, out of the bar. Courtney, police say, repeatedly interfered with their efforts to help the patron, who had expressed a desire to be kept away from him and go home.

After the woman was able to leave, police say Courtney shoved an officer, struck a fighting pose, and yelled swear words at police while onlooking barflies cheered him on.

Courtney, it seems, overestimated his fighting skills. An officer quickly put him in an arm bar, and two others pinned him to the ground. Courtney managed to damage an officer’s gun holster and portable radio, but was ultimately handcuffed after being immobilized via pepper spray to the face.

Courtney has been charged with assault and battery on a police officer, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest.