A 39-year-old man was arrested Monday on accusations that he assaulted a police officer and terrorized patrons at a social club.
Perry Ellsworth, no permanent address, was threatening people at the Mental Health Association Social Club, 1419 1st Ave. S., Fargo, when a worker reported the disturbance at 5:40 p.m. The suspect punched the walls and broke a mirror during the episode, Fargo Police Lt. Tod Dahle said.
The first officer at the scene said he saw the suspect flailing at other patrons outside the club. Ellsworth resisted arrest, Dahle said, and when three more officers arrived, they used pepper spray with little effect.
"He just stood there with his eyes closed and said, 'Come on, spray me,' " Dahle said.
During the ensuing scuffle, the officers tried to subdue the suspect by hitting his legs with batons. At one point, the suspect hit an officer in the temple with a fist and spit on another, Dahle said.
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An investigation gave no explanation for why the man was upset, Dahle said. A worker at the Social Club declined to comment on the incident.
Ellsworth, who could face several criminal charges, is expected to appear in Cass County District Court today.
