April 11, 2008
Reyes slugged, tased, arrested at Tampa bar
TAMPA -- Tampa Police arrested Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Al Reyes early this morning, saying the reliever was drunk and disruptive after falling down, picking a fight and spitting blood at the patrons of a popular Hyde Park night spot where Jessica Sierra was arrested last year for throwing a glass at a patron.
Rays spokesman Rick Vaughn said this morning: "We are looking into the situation as we are just learning of it.''
Thursday was Reyes' 38th birthday.
Witnesses told police the incident started around 2:30 a.m. at the Hyde Park Cafe, 1806 W Platt St., when Reyes fell against a ceramic pot inside the bar. Thinking someone had pushed him, police said Reyes began exchanging words with patron Eduardo Mora.
Mora then punched Reyes in the face, getting the attention of the Hyde Park Cafe's bouncers. Meanwhile, police said in a news release, Reyes "began to spit blood on the people in the area and began to swing his arms about."
The bouncers tried to control Reyes, but the 6 foot 1, 230-pound right-hander kept pushing them away. A Tampa Police officer working extra duty at the bar tried to calm the fracas, but Reyes "continued spitting blood and thrashing about," Tampa Police Lt. William Ferguson wrote in the release.
Moments later, the officer Tased Reyes, knocking him to the bar floor. Ignoring police commands to stay down, authorities said Reyes got up and was Tased a second time.
Reyes eventually calmed down and was treated for a cut to his nose, police said. He refused to be transported to a hospital.
Reyes was charged with affray; Mora was charged with battery. Both were released on their own recognizance.
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Al Reyes was arrested and tased
Originally Posted by willyback
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