Watch CBS News

Groom, Several Others Arrested After Massive Brawl Erupts At Berks County Wedding

ONTELAUNEE TOWNSHIP, Pa. (CBS) – A Berks County wedding quickly spiraled into an out-of-control, alcohol-infused brawl over the weekend, resulting in the arrest of seven people, including the groom.

Police say the incident happened at Blue Falls Grove in Ontelaunee Township shortly after 8 p.m. when a woman was reportedly punched in the face by another wedding guest, identified as 32-year-old Mandi L. Groh. Witnesses at the wedding said Groh struck the victim after that woman confronted her about allowing her 14-year-old son, who was visibly intoxicated, to drink beer during the reception.

When police arrived at the scene, they apparently found about a dozen people sporting bleeding wounds, many of them shirtless and highly intoxicated.

As officers tried to break up the altercation, they were threatened by the group and were forced to call for backup. In all, about a dozen police departments responded to the scene, and four officers were even treated for minor injuries after several members involved in the brawl attacked them.

Even the groom, 31-year-old Nicholas Papoutsis, allegedly tried to fight police. He was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, public drunkenness and interfering with administration of the law.

The initial instigator, Groh, was reportedly stopped as she tried to leave the wedding in her car. Her son was taken to St. Joseph Medical Center, where his blood alcohol level was found to be twice the legal limit for an adult.

Groh's husband, 38-year-old Jesse Groh, was also arrested. Police say he had three large folding pocket knives in his pocket and was covered in blood at the time of his arrest.

The Grohs are charged with corruption of minors, furnishing alcohol to minors, simple assault, disorderly conduct, public drunkenness and obstruction of justice.

Several others, including a couple in their 30s and a 32-year-old man, were arrested for disorderly conduct, public drunkenness, failing to disperse and related charges. One man, 46-year-old Brian R. Pelker, was also taken into custody after struggling with officers on the ground and grabbing one of them in the crotch. Pelker was charged with aggravated and simple assault, public drunkenness, obstructing administration of the law and related charges.

The bride, who police say was distraught, was reportedly treated at the scene for alcohol poisoning and dehydration.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.