Cops: Man poked officer in chest at Shooters bar in Lockport

A 41-year-old man was arrested after he refused to leave Shooters Sports Bar & Liquors in Lockport and poked an officer in his ballistic vest, according to police and court records.

About 9 p.m. Dec. 8, officers were called to the bar at 1605 S. State St. after receiving a report that Dennis Demsco of Lockport threatened other patrons and was behaving strangely, Lockport Deputy Police Chief Ron Huff said.

Employees at the bar twice asked Demsco to leave, but he allegedly refused to do so, Huff said. An officer also asked him to leave, he said.

In response, Demsco screamed and yelled at the officers and then poked one officer the chest, Huff said. A criminal complaint filed against Demsco said he “made physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature” by poking the officer’s ballistic vest.

When the officers took Demsco into custody, he raised his hand as if he was going to hit them but did not do so, Huff said. Demsco was then escorted from the bar, he said.

On Jan. 7, Demsco was charged with battery, criminal trespass, assault and disorderly conduct.

The complaint said Demsco was charged with assault for allegedly raising his hand in a closed fist at the same officer he poked and placing him “in reasonable apprehension of receiving a battery.”

Demsco entered a plea of not guilty to all the charges, court records show.