Details emerge in Conch House melee

On Sunday, May 24th about 7:36 p.m. Officer Cecilia Aiple responded to the violent melee occurring at the Conch House restaurant and marina located at 57 Comares Avenue on Anastasia Island; according to a report received by Historic City News yesterday.

When Aiple arrived, she met with 34-year-old John Paul Mahlow; a Conch House security officer. Mahlow has his own arrest record; including entering a guilty plea, prior to trial on charges that he carried a concealed weapon or firearm in a forbidden place. Mahlow had taken into custody, and presented to Aiple, 37-year-old Dennis Ray Justice II. A second, unnamed officer presented 30-year-old William Harrison Dreggors to Aiple; also in arm restraints.

Once additional officers arrived, Justice was placed in Aiple’s patrol vehicle. Dreggors had multiple abrasions to his face and he was checked by St Johns County emergency medical personnel at the scene. After evaluating numerous witness statements, Aiple released both Justice and Dreggors.

Transported to Flagler Hospital for additional medical treatment was 36-year-old Russell Rysinn Rogatenko, and 29-year-old Bruno Alexander Abreu, both of Palm Coast.

Rogatenko, who, according to the Florida Department of Corrections, was released from prison in 2012 and is on active supervised felony probation until August 23, 2017, told police that he was trying to help his girlfriend, 26-year-old Bianca Nicole Shaw of Palm Coast, when he was beaten by security.

Shaw told police the incident started when Rogatenko’s ex-wife and her sister got into a physical altercation. Shaw called 9-1-1 after she said Conch House security became “overly aggressive” with both females, prompting the crowd to intervene.

The incident report indicated that Rogatenko sustained a fractured nose as a result of the altercation. Additional unreported fractures were possible. Rogatenko said there were several security officers wearing bright orange shirts but he does not know the identity of the individual who struck him.

Abreu was unconscious when Aiple arrived. According to witnesses, he had been kicked in the head and torso several times by Conch House security staff and then thrown into the water. Abreu recalled two girls fighting on the dock and then waking up inside the ambulance. He told police that he could not remember anything else. Officer Aiple reported that she observed several abrasions and bruising to the left side of Abreu’s face. He appeared sensitive in the abdomen area when talking and coughing. Abreu told Aiple that he could not write a statement at this time.

Several witnesses stated to police that security staff used excessive force against patrons without reason. Aiple stated that she was approached by several people who said they had been assaulted but did not wish to file a report.

Historic City News will have additional details as this investigation continues.