By Jim Clark

Police officers were dispatched to the Taqueria Tapatio restaurant on Broadway last week on reports of a dispute in progress.

Upon arrival, the officers spoke with a woman who stated that a man, identified as Francisco Resate-Reyes, who had attacked her over the summer inside the restaurant had come into the restaurant that evening and began threatening her and yelling incoherently.

The victim provided the officers with paperwork from the probation department at Somerville District Court, outlining conditions for Resate-Reyes, who was ordered by probation to stay away from the woman and to not abuse alcohol or drugs.

The victim and witnesses pointed out Resate-Reyes, who was seated inside the nearby Coco Flow Style barber shop. The officers approached Resate-Reyes and noted that he appeared to be heavily intoxicated.

The officers spoke to Resate-Reyes in English, and one of the barbers was able to translate to Spanish to ensure a clear line of communication with him. Resate-Reyes was told to stay away from the restaurant and the victim, and he reportedly stated that he understood.

The victim was advised to contact 9-1-1 if Resate-Reyes returned, and that police would be contacting his probation officer.

As the officers returned to their cruiser, they reportedly observed Resate-Reyes exit the barber shop and stumble around in the middle of Broadway and Franklin St., after which he walked directly toward the door of the restaurant.

Resate-Reyes ignored the officers’ verbal commands to stop and continued walking towards the door of the restaurant.

As an officer grabbed Resate-Reyes, preventing him from entering the restaurant, he reportedly tensed up and pulled away from and attempted to taunt the victim. Other patrons inside the restaurant appeared to be afraid of Resate-Reyes.

The officers informed Resate-Reyes that he was under arrest and to place his arms behind his back, at which time he reportedly turned around to face the officers and tucked his arms tight to his body preventing them from placing handcuffs on him.

After numerous unsuccessful attempts to make Resate-Reyes cooperate, he was eventually taken to the ground, where he continued to resist but was in due course placed into handcuffs.

Resate-Reyes was subsequently taken to the station for booking on charges of disorderly conduct, trespassing, and resisting arrest.