Two Albuquerque men involved in a post-wedding reception brawl – one of whom is suspected of punching a woman in the face and attempting to disarm a police officer – were arrested early Sunday morning at a popular hotel in Las Cruces.
Mario A. Saiz, 36, and Paul Calderon, 41, were charged with one count each of aggravated assault on a peace officer; and resisting, evading or obstructing an officer. Saiz was also charged with aggravated battery causing great bodily harm and attempting to disarm a police.
At around 2 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, Las Cruces Police were dispatched to Hotel Encanto at 705 S. Telshor Blvd. where there was a fight between seven to eight men inside the Azul Nightclub. Officer learned that a brawl erupted in the club following a wedding reception and hotel security was unable to control the large gathering.
Officers were told that as Saiz exited the club he punched a woman in the face causing her to fall to the ground where she lay unconscious until after paramedics arrived.
A Las Cruces Police officer attempted to detain Saiz who refused commands and tried to take the officer’s baton. Calderon interfered and tried to help Saiz escape the officer’s grasp.
Both men were subsequently taken into custody.
The woman struck by Saiz was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The officers were not seriously injured.
Saiz and Calderon were booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center with bonds set at $10,000 each.