FEBRUARY 23--Despite reports that a wild melee early Sunday at a Denny’s in Massachusetts was triggered by a dispute over maple syrup, a police report indicates that the combatants had earlier been involved in road rage incidents while en route to the eatery from a Chicopee sports bar.

Video of the brawl, which has gone viral, can be seen below.

According to a Chicopee Police Department report, the male and female brawlers (whose names were redacted from the document) had departed the Maximum Capacity bar when their respective cars were involved in several vehicular confrontations.

The fighters, as it turned out, were all headed to the chain restaurant. “Both vehicles arrived at Denny’s at the same time and words were exchanged in the parking lot,” cops noted.

Inside, it wasn’t long before punches began flying. A Denny’s manager told investigators “that he observed an argument outside between the aforementioned parties.”

While investigators have identified each pugilist seen in the YouTube video, a Chicopee Police spokesperson said that for someone to be charged with simple assault and battery the attack must occur in the presence of a police officer.

But the brawlers--who yesterday were each provided a copy of the police report--have the ability to go to court and seek a criminal complaint against their assailant. (1 page)