Three teen girls and a man have been charged in the fight that broke out inside the Atlantic City McDonald's where a security guard was pepper sprayed.
The 17-year-old girl who sprayed Tony Algarin faces weapons charges in that case.
Officers responded to the report of a large fight with pepper spray being used at the McDonald's on Arkansas Avenue at 12:29 a.m. Saturday, Sgt. Kevin Fair said.
The suspects had fled the restaurant before police arrived.
Restaurant employees reported that a group of three females and one male entered the store. One of the females went behind the counter and began to assault an employee. A second juvenile female jumped on top of the counter and began to spray a security officer in the face with pepper spray. Each of the four suspects damaged McDonald’s property during the altercation and engaged in threatening and violent behavior.
Ambulance personnel responded to the McDonald’s to assist employees and customers with any medical or breathing issues due to either being assaulted or from the pepper spray.
Medical treatment was refused, and no one was transported to the medical center.
An investigation conducted by detectives of the Street Crimes Unit led to the filing of criminal charges.
Detectives reviewed surveillance camera coverage from the restaurant as well as a viral video that circulated on the internet and social media. Through the investigation, and with assistance from the public, detectives were able to identify the four suspects.
In addition to the weapons charges, the 17-year-old from Atlantic City, also was charged with criminal mischief, simple assault and disorderly conduct.
The girl laughed about it in a since-deleted Facebook post apparently aimed at Algarin — who also goes by Peter Dare-Gentile.
The girl's mother also apologized for her daughter's actions in a comment on the Scan AtlanticCity Facebook page, where the video was posted.
"You a juvi still," a friend commented. "So it ain't reall s--- to worry about."
In a photo on that page, the girl is wearing the same pants she has on in the now-viral video.
A 17-year-old girl from Egg Harbor Township was charged with simple assault, criminal mischief, trespassing and disorderly conduct.
Marcus Adderly, 21, of Pleasantville and a third 17-year-old girl, from Atlantic City, were each charged with criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.
