BLANCHESTER —A Blanchester man was arrested after he allegedly assaulted up to three men, then threatened an officer, BPD Chief Scott Reinbolt reported Monday.

According to Reinbolt, at around 9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18 Blanchester Police were called to a fight in the parking lot of the United Dairy Farmers store at 211 W. Main St. A deputy from the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office also responded to assist.

Officers arrived and spoke with witnesses, who stated David Lloyd, 21, of East Center Street, Blanchester, came to the store “in an obvious state of intoxication and attempted to purchase beer,” Reinbolt said. “The clerk refused to make the sale, citing Lloyd’s level of intoxication. Lloyd then called the clerk an ugly name, and a customer named James Herlinger, 59, intervened and told Lloyd to leave. Lloyd left the store and waited outside for Herlinger.”

Reinbolt said when Herlinger left the store, Lloyd threatened him with physical harm. Another customer, Terry Zurface, 52, intervened to get Lloyd away from Herlinger. Lloyd then allegedly punched Zurface in the head several times, and a third customer, Gary Lykins, 34, entered the fray to stop the alleged assault.

Police said Lykins, Zurface and Herlinger were able to wrestle Lloyd to the ground, and when Lloyd told the men he “had enough” they let him up; he began fighting them again, and they again took him to the ground as police arrived, witnesses said. Lykins and Zurface both sustained minor injuries in the incident, according to police.

Lloyd, “who was highly intoxicated, ordered the responding officer not to place him in handcuffs and stated he would assault the officer if he did so,” Reinbolt said. “Lloyd was handcuffed, charged with assault and taken to the Clinton County Jail.”

“Over the past several years I have been shocked to occasionally see internet video of criminals threatening or harming others while bystanders do nothing,” said Reinbolt. “It is reassuring to see that is not the case in our community, and I thank the brave men who stepped in to prevent Lloyd from harming others. I also applaud the UDF clerk showing responsibility by refusing to sell beer to an obviously intoxicated person.”