5 Arrested In New Year's Eve Ruckus

AVON PARK - An Avon Park New Year's Eve party reportedly erupted into violence early Tuesday morning between an Avon Park family, two others and police officers responding to a complaint, leading to the arrest of five people.

Richard Mendez, 47, of Avon Park, was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest with violence. He was later charged with corruption by threat against a law enforcement officer.

Michael Duane Davis, 24, of Lehigh Acres, was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer.

Michael Anthony Diaz, 19, of 904 W. State St., Avon Park, was charged with two counts of battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting a law enforcement officer with violence.

Pete Diaz, 44, of 904 W. State St., Avon Park, was charged with two counts of battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest with violence.

Sue Emma Diaz, 44, of 904 W. State St., Avon Park, was charged with two counts of battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest with violence.

Police officers Christy Harbaugh and Michael

Crenshaw reported that upon their arrival at 2:46 a.m. Tuesday, to investigate a battery complaint, a crowd had gathered in front of 904 W. State St., and when told to disperse some people did not comply. Police officer Nathan Coogan also arrived on scene.

Harbaugh reported when she arrived, Mendez pushed her in the chest and was arrested. He reportedly made threats in the patrol vehicle against her.

Police Sgt. Marc Wilbur arrived to see several people "engaged in mutual combat." He heard off-duty police officer James Parker calling him for help and when he tried to clear the crowd, Pete Diaz tried to punch him, the report stated.

He deployed his Taser on the suspect with no effect.

The incident began at a New Year's Eve party that involved Jello shots at the home of off-duty police officer Angelic Sanchez, according to Erica Diaz, 26, who was not arrested.

Diaz claimed there was an altercation involving her sister and herself while they got into the middle of a domestic squabble between Sanchez and her husband.

Diaz said after the incident, she tried to leave the party, but her mother, Sue Diaz, and her brother, Michael Diaz, tried to stop her. She admits they were outside arguing at the car of one suspect's girlfriend.

Off-duty officer James Parker reports he arrived on the scene and tried to break up the argument when one of the subjects threw a bottle at the car. He said Michael Diaz got physical with him and that Michael Davis then joined in and punched him.

Erica Diaz believed Parker started it.

How the battle with police ensued outside was still under investigation, said Avon Park Police Cmdr. Michael J. Rowan.

"I would say the entire incident is being investigated," Rowan said. "Everything is being looked into and scrutinized. (Sue Diaz) wanted to file a battery complaint against (officer) James Parker and she wasn't turned down. She came in to my office and expressed her concerns to me and I told her I would look into those concerns.

"She admitted of her own accord that she and her husband were under the influence of alcohol."