Bar Customer Accused in Attack on Port Chester Bartender

A customer at a North Main Street bar is charged with assault after an unexplained attack on a bartender early Thursday morning, according to Port Chester Police.

The bartender, a 27-year-old Hartsdale woman, told police she suspected something was wrong with the customer as he sat at the bar and appeared agitated. A few minutes later, police said, the customer went behind the bar and began attacking the bartender.

Lt. James Ladeairous said village officers were called to JT Straws, 435 N. Main St., at 2:28 a.m. Thursday, when they were alerted to a possible assault at the bar. When officers arrived, Ladeairous said they found several people holding Johnathan Rosario Reyes, 28, of 28 Linden Place, Stamford, CT, outside the bar.

Village officers were told that Reyes had attacked a bartender inside the bar. Ladeairous said that inside the bar village officers found the bartender, who was shaken and complained of neck pain. However, Ladeairous said the bartender refused medical attention.

The bartender told police that when Reyes came inside JT Straws at about 2 a.m. he took a seat at the bar and was served. The bartender, who said she recognized Reyes as a past customer of the bar, told police that Reyes appeared agitated as he sat at the bar.

The bartender went to the bar's kitchen to tell the cook that she thought there might be a problem. When she returned to the bar, Ladeairous said, Reyes is accused of going behind the bar and attacking the bartender.

Ladeairous said the bartender was pushed into bottles and glasses stacked at the bar, knocking some of them to the floor and breaking. The bartender, he said, was then picked up by Reyes and thrown onto the top of the bar.

The bartender kicked at Reyes in self-defense as she was being attacked, Ladeairous said. Customers of the bar came to the bartender's assistance.

Reyes was charged with third-degree assault and faces a hearing in Port Chester Village Court. Ladeairous said Reyes had not been involved in any previous incidents at the bar and the reason for the attack was unknown.