Local News in Brief : 3 Arrested at Raucous Party in Simi Valley

It took 16 police officers and two sheriff’s deputies 90 minutes to disperse an unruly crowd of 200 that spilled into a Simi Valley street Friday night after officers tried to shut down a noisy party, police said Saturday.

Three Simi Valley men were arrested during the melee that started about 9 p.m. Friday in the 1600 block of Cochran Street, said Simi Valley Police Sgt. Neal Rein.

Rudy Frenes, 18, was arrested for suspicion of battery on a police officer, a felony, and interfering with a police officer, a misdemeanor, Rein said. Frenes was being held at Ventura County Jail in lieu of $500 bail.

Also arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor violations were John Pitassi, 20, for allegedly interfering with an officer, and Frederic Brard, 25, for allegedly interfering with a police officer and failing to disperse. Both men were released on bail from Ventura County Jail.

The loud party started in a house in a residential neighborhood, then moved to a nearby apartment complex after police tried to quiet the party guests, Rein said. The people, mostly teen-agers and young adults, eventually moved into the street, becoming aggressive and uncontrollable, he said.

Fights broke out and police ordered the crowd to disperse, Rein said. One teen-ager had some teeth broken in a scuffle with another guest, and Frenes was bitten on the leg and abdomen by a police dog, Rein said. The fracas was finally brought under control about 10:30 p.m., he said.