2 Arrested After Fight Outside Harrison Avenue Bar

Two Harrison residents face criminal charges after witnesses told police a passing comment about a roasting pan ignited a late-night fight outside .

Three men were leaving Anthony's Bar on Harrison Avenue just after midnight on March 12 when one of them made a derogatory comment toward a woman walking nearby with her daughter, witnesses say. The woman had been carrying a roasting pan and witnesses say the comment had something to do with that.

The woman, later identified as Maryloz Cardona, 37, of 243 Harrison Avenue, immediately walked toward the group and began to hit one of the three men, according to police. Cardona's 16-year-old daughter told her another one of the three men had made the comment, and the woman punched that man in the face, cutting his nose, according to police.

During the altercation a third man, who left the bar with the other two but was not involved with the fight, began to record the fight on a digital camera. At that time police believe Epifanio Vargas, 33, also of 243 Harrison Avenue, attacked the man with the camera, stealing it and fleeing down Purdy Street.

All three of the men leaving the bar refused medical attention. After conducting interviews with several witnesses police placed Cardona under arrest and charged her with simple assault and issued a temporary order of protection. She admitted to being involved with the altercation, according to police, saying she had been provoked by a comment.

Cardona is due in court on March 22.

In the days following the incident police began to search for Vargas, who had fled the scene. After denying any involvement in the fight during initial interviews Vargas eventually told police that he was the one who took the camera from one of the victims.

Police charged Vargas with strong armed robbery. Bail was set at $500 cash, and a temporary order of protection was issued. Police found the allegedly stolen camera nearby and have entered it into evidence.