8 arrested after refusing Lexington police request to leave Tolly-Ho parking lot

Eight people were arrested after a scrap early Friday with police at a popular dining spot near the University of Kentucky campus.

About 2:30 a.m., two patrol officers noticed "several carloads of people" pulling into the parking lot at Tolly-Ho on South Broadway, Lexington police spokeswoman Sherelle Roberts said. The people got out of their cars and gathered at the entrance of the restaurant. The restaurant's management asked them to leave, and when they refused, management asked police to step in.

"Management asked police to assist because they weren't buying things, they were just blocking the walkways," Roberts said.

When officers asked the group to leave, they "responded to the officers' request with an array of profanities," she said. They refused to leave and became combative with four officers — the two patrol officers and two off-duty officers who were at the restaurant.

The dispute escalated, and the group surrounded the officers. The officers called for backup, and more than a dozen officers responded.

In the ensuing ruckus, police used pepper spray on multiple people, and at least one person was shocked with a Taser. No officers were injured in the fray.

The eight who were arrested were charged with disorderly conduct and possession of drugs, Roberts said. Their names were not immediately available.

This story was originally published August 6, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "8 arrested after refusing Lexington police request to leave Tolly-Ho parking lot."