Man to be arraigned for assault

A Riverside man accused of smashing a bottle on a bartender’s head in Newport Beach during a large fight will be arraigned next month after appearing in court Monday.

Bobby Alvarez, 24, will be arraigned Oct. 7 on two felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon, one count of felony battery and another felony count of possessing a deadly weapon.

Just after midnight Aug. 17, Newport Beach police were called to a fight at Mutt Lynches. According to police, Alvarez and 24-year-old Richard Fuentez, also charged in the fight, were part of a large and rowdy group at one end of the bar. Someone broke a glass, and when the bartender approached them and asked them to quiet down and not break anything else, Alvarez smashed a beer bottle on the bartender’s head, Sgt. Evan Sailor said.

Fuentez punched the bartender in the face before grabbing a pool stick and breaking it in half, swinging both ends at people, police said. Employees broke up the fight, and Alvarez and Fuentez were arrested.

The bartender was taken to Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian and treated for cuts to his face and a possibly broken orbital bone. Witnesses said they saw the bartender hit with brass knuckles. Police found the weapon but were unable to determine whose it was.

Alvarez is free after posting $25,000 bail last month. Fuentez is in custody in lieu of $25,000 bail and is scheduled to be arraigned Oct. 7, the same day as Alvarez.

JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at [email protected].