Police are investigating viral video of bar altercation

Amy Wu | Poughkeepsie Journal

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City of Poughkeepsie police are investigating a video that appears to show a bouncer at a local bar putting a customer in a chokehold.

The video shows a bouncer at Milo’s Cantina, a taco and tequila bar on 206 Main St., throwing customer Mike Boyce in a chokehold first standing up, then down on the floor, after an altercation between the bar’s manager and Boyce in a dispute over a drinks tab.

Detective Lt. Matt Clark confirmed on Monday the department is aware of the video, have contacted Boyce and are investigating the video.

"Allegedly what lead up to what is seen in the video involves an unpaid bar tab," Clark later said in a statement.

"At this time, the police department is trying to obtain all pertinent video and the investigation is continuing," according to a police press release issued Monday afternoon."No charges have been filed at this time."

MILO'S CANTINA: Poughkeepsie: Milo's Cantina brings tacos, tequila to the city

Boyce, a tattoo artist who is also the owner of Queen City Tattoo, confirmed he was there with friends for a drink after dinner when the altercation occurred before midnight Friday. The video was shot via smartphone by one of Boyce’s friends and posted on various social media channels.

As of noon, on Monday, the video had nearly 77,000 views and over 650 comments on a YouTube post. Boyce’s wife Jade posted the video on her Facebook page, which has seen over 650,000 views and nearly 10,000 shares. Some of the commentators questioned the legality of the bouncer’s actions, and others wondering whether Boyce had paid the bill.

In an interview with The Poughkeepsie Journal on Monday, Boyce said he and friends first ordered a flight of tequilas for $200 and a second round at $40. Boyce said the altercation started soon after.

“We had been trying to leave and refused the second round of drinks…They were getting rude with us,” said Boyce. “We asked for shirts to support the businesses. We are very big on supporting all local businesses.” He said the manager was rude. “I paid my bill and said you’re very rude all we did was ask for T-shirts,” he said.

According to a post from Jade Boyce’s Facebook page, her husband, short of cash, wanted to go outside and get more cash for the balance and the manager and staff regarded the situation as if Mike Boyce was not going to pay.

Mike Boyce told the Journal he paid the bill of $280.

Jeremy Phillips, owner of Milo's Cantina and Schatzi's Pub, responded to Journal inquiries with a text saying he has “no comments at this time.”

Milo’s Cantina is closed on Mondays, according to its website. On Monday, Phillips retained Jonna Spilbor Law a Poughkeepsie-based law firm to handle the matter, said Anthony Cillis of Jonna Spilbor Law.

“I do not have a comment only because it is too early in the investigation,” said Cillis.

Altercation

Mike Boyce confirmed he was taken to the ground, put in a choke hold for several minutes, and kneed and punched in the head.

The manager is shown in the video to remove his friends outside and locked the door.

“I was surprised that it went as far as it went and that hands were put on me like that,” said Mike Boyce, who added he was scared the bouncer would damage his esophagus during the chokehold.

Mike Boyce said he also taped his own video showing the bar’s management would not let him leave the premises even after the bill was paid, but he said he will only show the video to law enforcement.

Mike Boyce referred subsequent questions to Gary Lane, a Poughkeepsie-based attorney who he said he retained. Lane did not return calls as of deadline.

Viral video

There have been commentators who have pegged the incident as a racial issue, questioning whether a further firestorm would have been sparked if races were reversed; the bouncer is a black man and Boyce is white.

Mike Boyce said it is not a matter of race.

“I’ve always been against bullies, that’s number one and number two one of my biggest things is whenever you see a situation like this it is always turned into race," he said. "This isn’t a race thing…This is a guy who has anger issues.”

Mike Boyce said he was “glad it was videotaped.

“In one sense, I am glad he taped that because something needs to be done about this, but in another sense, I am little upset because I am basically getting choked out,” said Mike Boyce.

Amy Wu: awu@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-451-4529, Twitter @wu_PoJo