LARGE FIGHT AT PARK: CERES - Police broke up a large fight involving approximately 50 persons gathered for a soccer game at Ceres River Bluff Regional Park on Sunday.
Rigoberto Maciel, 27, of Ceres, was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly striking 20-year old Gonsalo Gallardo of Riverbank with a belt and belt buckle in the face several times.
About 300 persons were gathered for soccer, said Ceres Police Lt. Brent Smith. The crowd became upset over a call made by referee Keith Middleton and some in the crowd began to boo him. A fight ensued with both spectators and team members involved.
"It was total chaos when the officers arrived," said Lt. Smith, "so they told everyone to leave. They locked the gate, and games were canceled for the day."
Officers found a number of alcohol containers "all over the place" said Smith, noting that drinking of alcohol in all Ceres parks is illegal.
Many began leaving the park as officers arrived.
HAND GRENADE DESTROYED: CERES - A tenant dug up a pineapple style grenade from a backyard Friday, gave it to his landlord who wrapped it up, placed it in his pickup and drove it over to the Ceres Police Department. Officers didn't take any chances, wouldn't handle it and called the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Bomb Squad.
The realistic-looking device was destroyed in Whitmore Park. Authorities said it was a replica of a World War II ordnance.
"I wasn't going to open it," said Lt. Brent Smith. "I couldn't tell if it was real or not. It looked real with the pin and spoon."
Smith said the man was proper in reporting the device but should have called police to come to his residence.
The rusty device was found in the 4000 block of S. Central Avenue.
Rigoberto Maciel, 27, of Ceres, was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly striking 20-year old Gonsalo Gallardo of Riverbank with a belt and belt buckle in the face several times.
About 300 persons were gathered for soccer, said Ceres Police Lt. Brent Smith. The crowd became upset over a call made by referee Keith Middleton and some in the crowd began to boo him. A fight ensued with both spectators and team members involved.
"It was total chaos when the officers arrived," said Lt. Smith, "so they told everyone to leave. They locked the gate, and games were canceled for the day."
Officers found a number of alcohol containers "all over the place" said Smith, noting that drinking of alcohol in all Ceres parks is illegal.
Many began leaving the park as officers arrived.
HAND GRENADE DESTROYED: CERES - A tenant dug up a pineapple style grenade from a backyard Friday, gave it to his landlord who wrapped it up, placed it in his pickup and drove it over to the Ceres Police Department. Officers didn't take any chances, wouldn't handle it and called the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Bomb Squad.
The realistic-looking device was destroyed in Whitmore Park. Authorities said it was a replica of a World War II ordnance.
"I wasn't going to open it," said Lt. Brent Smith. "I couldn't tell if it was real or not. It looked real with the pin and spoon."
Smith said the man was proper in reporting the device but should have called police to come to his residence.
The rusty device was found in the 4000 block of S. Central Avenue.
