E.P. Woman Charged After Police Break Up Melee Outside Bar

East Providence police officers broke up a so-called "melee" outside the Rockin’ Times bar on Waterman Avenue early Saturday morning, Sept. 14. But the only person charged so far has been a 42-year-old East Providence woman.

Helen A. Mortensen, of 122 Juniper St., was arrested for simple assault and battery on another East Providence woman during the disturbance. It included a so-called “pig pile” of 10 to 12 people on top of each other and 20 to 30 other people standing around the pile.

An officer on routine patrol spotted the disturbance, according to the arrest report. He called for assistance almost immediately.

Mortensen alleged that she attempted to break up a fight between a male friend and another man that started the disturbance. That’s when she reportedly struck another woman in “self-defense,” she told police officers according to the report.

Police officers had to pull people off each other, according to the report on the disturbance. And they had to control the dozens of people around the pile who appeared ready to get involved, according to the arrest report.

Mortensen received a summons to appear in District Court on Sept. 24 to face the charge and defend her claim of self-defense.