Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
The Eddy County Sheriff’s Department responded to a fight at Buck-it’s Bar in downtown New Rockford at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7.
Eduardo Betancourth has since been charged with simple assault, disorderly conduct and preventing arrest, all Class B misdemeanors, as well as simple assault on a police officer, a Class C felony.
According to court documents, Betancourth is alleged to have repeatedly brought food and drinks into the bar that were purchased elsewhere.
When confronted by the bar owner, Justin McDonald, and asked to leave, Betancourth allegedly became aggressive, swatting a phone out of McDonald’s hand which he was using to record the altercation in case it became violent.
Betancourth eventually left the bar, but the altercation was far from over, according to court documents.
“The Defendant found a metal chair outside and threw it at the glass door of the bar in an attempt to break the glass,” allege court documents. “After he was unsuccessful, the Defendant began using his elbow to try to break the glass and gain entry, all while Mr. McDonald secured the door from inside.”
Court documents go on to allege that Betancourth became uncooperative once law enforcement arrived on scene, attempting to elude deputies’ efforts to arrest him as he tried to get back to McDonald and continue the altercation.
Court documents describe how Deputy Bennett Suave and Deputy Jacob Roberts of the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office eventually took Betancourth to the ground.
“It took Deputy Suave and Deputy Roberts, along with the assistance of Mr. McDonald, to finally subdue the Defendant to the point that he could be handcuffed,” state court documents.
Betancourth was eventually taken to the Lake Region Law Enforcement Center in Devils Lake (LEC) after being cleared by EMS, but court documents say he continued being uncooperative throughout the drive there – screaming, kicking and forcing the officers to pull over on the highway.
“The Defendant kicked the door so hard that the deputies in the front seat could hear air coming in through the door,” according to court documents. “The deputies stopped the vehicle to assess the damage and restrain the Defendant from causing further damage.”
As the deputies attempted to re-secure Betancourth, he continued resisting, and ultimately, court documents say he earned a felony assault charge when he kicked both deputies.
Betancourth reportedly calmed down under threat of being tased, and was later booked at the LEC.
Betancourth’s bond hearing was held on Monday, Oct. 9, and as of press time he was still being held at the LEC with bail set at $500 cash.
Betancourth is considered innocent unless proven guilty.
