Police: Wilmington Man, Friend Cut Off at Somerville Bar, Assault Patrons

A Wilmington man and his friend began assaulting patrons at PJ Ryan’s in Somerville’s Teele Square early Sunday morning after they were cut off by the bar’s staff, according to police.

One of the men, 32-year-old David Leccese, of 22 Arleene Ave., Wilmington, allegedly hit a 65-year-old retired Somerville firefighter outside the bar, injuring him. Leccese was arrested by Somerville Police at the scene and charged with assault and battery on a person over 60 or disabled, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, police said.

Police responded to the bar at about 1 a.m. Sunday. There, Leccese, who was bleeding from his face, was extremely agitated, police said. He was swearing at and threatening police and bystanders, according to police.

Before police arrived, a Somerville Fire lieutenant had come from the fire house across the street and assisted the bar’s staff in subduing the suspects.

According to witnesses, Leccese and his friend began pushing patrons after they were cut off. They also harassed and shoved a female patron, witnesses said. When a bar employee intervened, they began fighting him, and when patrons tried to help, they punched them as well, witnesses said.