According to the Anchorage Police Department, a downtown liquor store erupted into a messy brawl Thursday afternoon as employees tried to stop an audacious attempt by an underage group to steal alcohol.
Police spokesperson Lt. Dave Parker told the Anchorage Daily News that one of the suspects grabbed a bottle of alcohol and told the cashier, "I'm takin' this."
When store employees went to stop the theft, things got physical.
Witnesses said that the five suspects battled with store employees of a Brown Jug liquor store on 5th Avenue. Witnesses said the suspects threw punches and bottles at employees, and started indiscriminately throwing bottles around the store and knocking others off shelves.
"A veritable melee," is how Lt. Parker described it to the Anchorage Daily News.
As the suspects left the establishment -- littered with broken glass and spilled booze -- police say one of them, 20-year-old Trevor Moore-Barras, struck a pregnant witness in the face as she was calling 911.
Two store employees sustained cuts and broken facial bones and required emergency medical treatment.
The five suspects (Sandra Blix, 18; Trevor Moore-Barras, 20; Torrence Barras, 20; Malotuman Tuinei, 18; and Izacc Tuinei, 20) were arrested at the 5th Avenue Mall a short time after the brawl with the assistance of mall security personnel.
Barras and Moore-Barras allegedly had to be restrained after their bail hearing at the Anchorage Jail when they attempted to assault arresting officers. Charges in that incident are still pending.
All five suspects were scheduled for arraignment on Friday. They each face charges of robbery, assault and criminal mischief.