Police: Hopatcong man would not leave bar

HOPATCONG – A borough resident is facing a disorderly conduct charge after allegedly refusing to leave a bar, harassing patrons, arguing with police and refusing their offer of a ride home, police said.

Police got involved after the owner of Pavinci’s Italian Grill called police on Saturday at 10:30 p.m. asking for help removing a patron who refused to leave the bar, according to a press release from police Lt. Thomas Kmetz, a department spokesman.

The owner made the call after was approached by patrons who said that 31-year-old Gregory Ciccarella was harassing them.

The owner tried to speak with Ciccarella about the complaints but was spoken to aggressively so he asked Ciccarella to leave the bar, Kmetz said.

Ciccarella refused and continued to do so even after the the owner advised him that he was going to call the police if he did not leave, Kmetz said.

Officer Christopher Lotito went into the bar and spoke to Ciccarella who appeared to be intoxicated, Kmetz said.

Lotito persuaded him to go outside and offered to give him a ride home, which Ciccarella declined, Kmetz said.

Ciccarella was told to leave the property and he did at first, after calling police officers “Boy Scouts” and “a bunch of tough guys,” but he soon returned and wanted to be taken to the police station to speak with a supervisor, Kmetz said.

Sgt. Michael O’Shea, who was on the scene, told Ciccarella that he was the supervisor and would talk to him but Ciccarella became belligerent and said he did not have to leave the property, Kmetz said.

After he was told he would be arrested if he did not leave, Ciccarella raised his arms towards O’Shea and cursed at him. At that point Ciccarella was arrested, taken to headquarters, charged with criminal trespass and disorderly conduct. He was later released to his girlfriend.

“When dealing with the police just listen and comply with our orders,” Kmetz said. “If you do not do what we ask or order you to do there will be action against you. In this instance he was offered a ride home, free of charge. He was told to leave but came back and opened his mouth. Just do what the police ask you to do.”