Cops call for backup, 3 arrested after Merrillville nightclub melee
By Christin Nance Lazerus cnance@post-trib.com July 9, 2012 9:44PM
Updated: July 9, 2012 9:46PM
A large melee involving nearly 300 people outside a Merrillville nightclub early Saturday morning caused police to call for backup from several local departments.
Around 2:52 a.m., Merrillville Police received a report of a large, unruly crowd in the parking lot of Club 83, located at 1506 E. 83rd Ave. Detective Sgt. Jeff Rice said that several fights were occuring as police arrived. Representatives from the club said they had to close the club because fights were erupting inside. Merrillville Police received assistance from Schererville, Crown Point, Hobart, the Lake County Sheriff’s Department and the Indiana State Police to help disperse the crowd of nearly 300 people.
Rice said that most people complied with the order, but three Gary men continued to cause a disturbance and had to be pepper sprayed by police.
Corey La Ron Chandler, 26; Richard Alan Cobb, 30; and Lamar Cheairs, 27; were arrested for disorderly conduct, criminal trespass, resisting law enforcement and public intoxication.
