Greenwich Officer Among 3 Victims in Assault

An off-duty Greenwich Police officer was among three people "viciously beaten" by a trio of New York men who wanted to be served drinks at closing time in a Greenwich restaurant, according to Greenwich Police.

Greenwich Police spokesman Lt. Krais Gray said of the Nov. 9 incident, "It was rapidly approaching closing time and they demanded to be served." The incident was reported as a "fight in progress" at 1:04 a.m., Nov. 9 at MacDuff's Tavern, 99 Railroad Ave.

Gray said the attackers "viciously stomped, beat, twisted joints...resulting in bumps, bruises and the type of injuries associated with an assault." He would not elaborate further or identify the officer. He described the victims as a 30-year-old female patron, and two men—ages 31 and 37. All three sought medical treatment, however, Gray would not provide details.

Gray said "multiple units" were dispatched to MacDuff's. "The subjects were attempting to flee as (police) arrived. They were immediately apprehended outside the bar. They gave officers false information related to the culpability," Gray said. "Based on eyewitnesses" and evidence, the three men were arrested on a variety of charges. Gray also said the suspects "were intoxicated and had been drinking."

Gray added, "They were out celebrating their buddy's birthday and they wanted more (to drink.) Instead they end up in a jail cell."

The suspects were identified as:

• Arvit Bakalli, 29, of Glendale, NY (whose Nov. 8 birthday they were celebrating)
• Mentor Barisha, 33, of the Bronx, NY
• Arton Gjonbalic, 28, of Yonkers, NY

All faces charges of assault on a peace officer, second-degree breach of peace, and second-degree assault.  Bakalli and Barisha also were charged with third-degree assault.

They were held in lieu of $25,000 bond each and scheduled to appear Nov. 16 in state Superior Court in Stamford.

Gray would not say when the officer will be able to return to duty.