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| Jokers Wild on 2206 S Madison St. is where University Police Department officer Eric Reffitt is accused of cutting his friend at a bachelor's party. DN PHOTO ASHLEY DYE |
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| Eric Reffitt |
Early Wednesday morning was just “another day on the job,” a Jokers Wild manager said.
The club, offering topless dancers on a small mainstage pole and other topless waitresses walking through the dimly lit, cramped building, is located on the south side of Muncie and advertised by a small, neon sign directly off the road.
Eric Reffitt, a Ball State off-duty officer, is accused of cutting a friend at the strip club around 1 a.m. Wednesday.
“People get drunk and people do stupid s---,” said the manager, who wished to remain anonymous. “Just because [an off-duty officer has] a badge and they come in here, they are just another patron.”
The manager said when clients do disrupt business, the staff tries to resolve the situation without police intervention.
“We do our best to get things out the door,” he said. “If we can get everyone out the door peacefully, we are all for peacefully. It is better for everyone.”
Fights and arguments don’t occur at Jokers Wild only, said the bouncer working that night.
“You are always going to get the drunk a--hole or two,” he said. “You know it’s liquid courage, so you get [patrons] in the situation where they are showing off for their buddies or partying with their friends and want to show off.”
EARLIER
Reffitt, 30, was arrested at 1:43 a.m. Wednesday at the Taco Bell on South Madison Street. He was charged with criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon, intimidation and public intoxication.
Reffitt tendered his resignation Thursday after an internal process, said Joan Todd, a university spokesperson. He joined the University Police Department in April 2008.
The off-duty officer is accused of cutting a friend, Curtis A. Westfall, early Wednesday when he waved a knife inside Jokers Wild, according to the probable cause affidavit. Reffitt was at the strip club for a bachelor party but stayed after his friends left, saying he would find another ride home.
Later in the night, Reffitt took out a large folding knife when he thought someone was trying to take money from him, according to witnesses in the affidavit.
Westfall had a long scratch on his abdomen from the knife, which cut through two shirts. Westfall told police that the cut was an accident and that he did not want Reffitt to get in trouble.
After leaving Jokers Wild, Reffitt arrived at Taco Bell and “showed up outside the business and was knocking on the outer door that was locked and making a ruckus,” Taco Bell Manager Abrianna Cochran told police.
“Reffitt was placing his police credentials up against the glass and yelling something about being a cop, all while talking on the phone,” Cochran said in the affidavit.
After police arrived at Taco Bell, Reffitt “became extremely belligerent and started acting out toward officers,” and was placed in restraints and detained, according to the affidavit.
He originally refused to take a blood alcohol test, but then agreed to take one after his Ball State Police captain arrived at the scene. Reffitt had a BAC of 0.23, according to the affidavit.
On Wednesday, Reffitt was released on a $5,000 bond.
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