By Jim Clark

Police were dispatched to a Sargent Ave. residence in the early morning hours of last Saturday, responding to a report of a fight in progress.

Upon their arrival, officers reportedly observed several males gathered outside the residence. One of the men appeared to be drunk, according to police reports, and was talking very loudly and behaving in a belligerent manner.

Another man reportedly led officer upstairs in the residence to the second floor, where approximately 15 people were divided into two groups, all of them yelling loudly.

One woman approached the officers and complained that another woman and her daughter had struck her in the face.

Another woman, later identified as Alicia Arana, 58, reportedly pushed past police and grabbed the reporting victim by the throat. The officers quickly responded to subdue and handcuff Arana, but then her daughter, Milady Maraidiaga, 33, stepped up and kicked one of the officers in the shin in an attempt to free her mother, police said.

Maraidiaga was taken to the floor and told that she was under arrest, according to reports, at which time the crowd in the room grew more boisterous and aggressive. The officers called for backup at that point in time.

Maraidiaga reportedly struggled with the officers, resisting their attempts to take her outside. After police backup arrived order was restored in the residence.

The reporting victim then told police that yet another woman on the premises, Martha Rosa, 30, had also struck her, and the woman’s husband reportedly confirmed that allegation to police.

Upon questioning, Rosa reportedly told officers that she herself was attacked and struck back in self-defense.

Rosa and Arana were subsequently placed under arrest and charged with assault and battery.

Maraidiaga was placed under arrest and charged with assault and battery on a police officer and resisting arrest.