Police in Atlantic City were attacked while trying to break up a large fight last week, resulting in the arrests of four women and four girls, two as young as 12, police said.
The “large group” fight happened on Wednesday night in the 800 block of North Delaware Avenue, police said on Monday. The group was up made mostly of women and young girls, authorities said.
Four women - Amanda Bethel, Queenetta Gilliard, Sadiyah Gilliard and Mya Spellman, all Atlantic County residents - were each charged with aggravated assault on a police officer. They also face charges of hindering apprehension, inciting a riot and disorderly conduct, police said.
One 14-year-old faces charges including weapon possession and assaulting a police officer, police said. A 13-year-old and a 12-year-old are charged with assaulting an officer, inciting a riot, and resisting arrest. A second 12-year-old was charged only with simple assault.
Police were called to the melee around 8:20 p.m. As they interceded, the officers were assaulted while trying to separate the fighters and make arrests, police said.
Only three people were initially arrested, but the others were identified through a follow-up investigation. They were arrested at various locations in Atlantic County throughout the week, police said.
“The Atlantic City Police Department will use all resources at our disposal to hold accountable anyone who assaults or attempts to assault our officers during the performance of their duties,” Chief James Sarkos said in a statement Monday.
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Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com.
