Riot Breaks Out at New Crystal Room, Live on WPGC Radio

CALLAWAY --- Just on the heels of a murder and stabbings taking place at the Brass Rail Bar in Great Mills, the bar's owner, Dickie Gatton, had more trouble on his hands Saturday night when a riot broke out at his new Crystal Room in Callaway, at an event that WPGC radio was set up inside with a live remote. 

Several arrests were made and a State Police trooper escaped injury when his police car was demolished when it skidded on wet pavement while responding to calls for help from a St. Mary's Deputy. 

St. Mary's Sheriff David Zylak told ST. MARY'S TODAY that the event was being attended by about 350 people and initial reports of the place being torn apart apparently were not true.  

"There were about 50 people fighting when our first units arrived," said Zylak.

The Sheriff reports that WPGC Radio had been at the Lexington Park bar, Cadillac Jacks, a few weeks earlier without problems, but he doubts that the Crystal Room will be host to the same group once again.

"The owner told our agency we would never have this trouble again," said Sheriff Zylak.

Sheriff Zylak reports that two persons were arrested and the Crystal Room was emptied out just after the fight broke out, which was approximately 1:45 am on Sunday.  No one was transported to the hospital, reports the Sheriff and no deputies were hurt.

Trooper Dolinger's vehicle went off of Indian Bridge Road when he responded to a call for a police officer in trouble, known as a Signal 13, and the wreck totaled the squad car.  Trooper Dolinger is without injury, according to Leonardtown Barracks Commander Capt. Mike Spaulding.
"We were real lucky that Trooper Dolinger was okay," said Capt. Spaulding. "This type of thing can happen in an emergency response."
Callaway has a long history of fights, shootings, and riots when the old Callaway Club was located across the street from the Crystal Room, with many attendees bringing their guns and baseball bats with them while drug dealers peddled their wares inside and outside the bottle club.

The Callaway Club closed down when the property was sold for use as a shopping center.