Following a drunken brawl at the East Wellington Road hall on Friday night, police are seeking to speak with the management of Nanaimo’s Cavallotti Lodge, where over 100 women and a male stripper were present.
According to Nanaimo RCMP spokesperson Const. Gary O’Brien, officers responded to an assault report at approximately 10:50 p.m., discovering “between 100 and 150 intoxicated women” watching an exotic dancer during a lodge fundraiser.
“From what I gather, a significant fight broke out among several inebriated women who were there to watch the male stripper,” O’Brien noted.
Police detained five individuals they believed participated in the altercation, but are not planning to recommend charges to the Crown counsel.
“They were intoxicated; it was a situation fueled by alcohol with no clear victim,” said O’Brien. “Nonetheless, we will follow up with Cavallotti since their patrons were excessively drunk, and we need to alert them to the hazards of over-serving alcohol.”
Two of the women spent time in the RCMP detachment cells until they “sobered up,” according to O’Brien.
An unnamed witness to Friday’s events reported that one woman climbed onto her chair to get a better view of the male exotic dancer, who began in a police costume before undressing. This created an obstruction for the women behind her, leading to discontent.
At least four police vehicles arrived at the scene in response to the assault.
“It was shocking to see so many police officers present,” the witness remarked. “It felt like police overkill.”
O’Brien confirmed that an official report has been filed and that authorities have the identities of all the involved women.
“It appears one woman struck another who was blocking her view, prompting the chaos,” he stated.
The woman who couldn’t see the stripper requested that the one on the chair sit down, prompting the latter to swing at her, as recounted by the witness.
“She caused a noticeable scratch on her face.”
The initial caller reported to police that both she and her mother and sister were also assaulted.
O’Brien explained that the police apprehended the five individuals due to the disturbance they caused.
“It seems there was no true victim here, and considering everyone was heavily intoxicated, it’s challenging to determine exactly what occurred, which is why we don’t foresee any charges arising from this incident,” he concluded.
