Springs Man in Speonk Brawl

A Springs man already facing a felony burglary charge in East Hampton Town Justice Court may now be facing Christmas in jail after having been arrested again early Saturday morning.

Southampton Town police said Monday that Lucas M. Ward, 21, was a participant in a fight at a house party on Montauk Highway in Speonk. According to Sgt. John Boden, Mr. Ward and a friend, Joshua R. Kulp, 21, of Speonk, were upset that they had been asked to leave the party. Mr. Kulp allegedly began throwing lawn furniture and bottles at a 2008 Mercedes-Benz parked outside, and then left with Mr. Lucas for Mr. Kulp’s house, also on Montauk Highway in Speonk.

The owner of the car, Sergeant Boden said, followed the two men to Mr. Kulp’s house, where a second fight between several individuals took place. At one point, Mr. Lucas pulled out a pellet gun, pointing it at the owner of the Mercedes, who was not identified. The owner pulled the gun away from Mr. Lucas, Sergeant Boden said, and smashed it on the pavement.

Both Mr. Kulp and Mr. Ward appeared to be highly intoxicated when officers arrived at Mr. Kulp’s house, the sergeant said. They arrested Mr. Kulp without incident on a felony charge of criminal mischief for the damage he allegedly did to the car.

When an officer went to arrest Mr. Lucas on a misdemeanor charge of menacing, he allegedly shoved the officer, refusing to be handcuffed. “Two officers had to corral Mr. Ward,” Sergeant Boden said, placing him under arrest with three new charges added: resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration, both misdemeanors, and harassment, a violation.

During their arraignments in Southampton Town Justice Court in Hampton Bays later Saturday morning, bail was set at $10,200 for Mr. Ward and $2,000 for Mr. Kulp. Neither man was able to post bail. Mr. Lucas was later taken to the county jail in Yaphank, while Mr. Kulp was in jail in Riverside as of Monday morning.

The charge against Mr. Ward in East Hampton dates back to October, when he was allegedly caught on video participating in a burglary of Damark’s Deli. The thieves made off with Marlboro cigarettes and cases of Bud Light. Mr. Ward is due back in East Hampton Town Justice Court on Jan. 22 to answer that charge.

He has a history of arrests in East Hampton dating back to his teens on charges such as assault, obstruction of breathing, and contempt of court.