Ayer man arrested for throwing woman against wall, punching patrons, and tossing chairs during bar fight at Billiards Café

AYER — On Friday, October 11, 2024, at 11:25 p.m., Officer Jacquelyn Stiles and Officer George Fichter of the Ayer Police Department were dispatched to The Billiards Café, located at 39 Main Street, following a report of a bar fight in progress.

(The account and quotations in this article were sourced from the printed personnel narrative of Officer Fichter, and do not reflect any political perspective or personal opinion of News Link Live, which is strictly a business entity.)

“While en route, Ayer Dispatch advised that the reporting party (on phone) advised that the male party was possibly 60 years old, wearing a light blue shirt, and currently fighting other patrons inside the bar,” Officer Fichter said. “It was further advised that the involved male subject was violently throwing things and pushed an unknown female party against the wall.”

Officer Fichter reported that when he and Officer Stiles arrived on scene at approximately 11:26 p.m., they entered the pool hall where they heard “yelling and screaming.”

“We then observed a male subject on the floor wearing a light blue shirt along with two other unknown male parties attempting to forcibly restrain the male subject in question,” Officer Fichter said. “There were chairs knocked over and additional patrons beginning to go hands-on with this subject. As I approached to get involved, I briefly un-holstered my CEW [Conducted Energy Weapon] taser from my person with the imminent thought that a drive stun would be necessary as the subject was already displaying assaultive behavior with other persons. However, I re-holstered and secured the taser (no deployment) as it was determined that I would be able to physically and quickly grab the suspect first as other involved patrons began to back away from the involved male subject thus exposing an opportunity.”

At this time, Officer Fitcher and Officer Stiles knelt onto the floor and physically grabbed the male party.

“I placed my hands on the subject’s right arm/wrist while Officer Stiles took hold and grabbed the subject’s left arm wrist in a forcible manner,” Officer Fichter said. “The involved male subject attempted to push himself up off the floor exacerbating the situation thus requiring more force to forcibly restrain the male subject. Myself and Officer Stiles then pushed the male party face down back to the floor. I then alerted him to police presence and to stop fighting with us. The current scene was chaotic and loud with numerous persons around, and I had to repeat the instructions several times as it was possible that the male subject could not clearly hear police commands. I then told the involved male subject in a loud voice that he was under arrest and instructed him to place his hands behind his back or he will be tased if he fails to comply. After a brief few seconds, the male subject complied upon which myself and Officer Stiles secured his hands behind his back into handcuffs.”

Once the suspect was handcuffed, the officers helped him get off the floor and onto his feet.

“I checked his person for visible injuries to which I did not observe any at this time. I asked the subject if he was hurt to which he said ‘no,’” Officer Fichter said. “The male subject quickly began to calm down and gain control of his actions. I immediately detected a moderate odor of alcoholic beverage emanating from his breath. The male subject was identified as Jason Raterman.”

According to police, Jason C. Raterman, 53, is a resident of 119 Oak Ridge Drive, Ayer, MA.

“I advised Ayer Dispatch that the male subject was in custody and that we would need additional police assistance to check the area for any persons with possible injuries as the pool hall area was moderately crowed with people,” Officer Fichter added.

Officer Fichter reported that Ayer Dispatch notified Ayer Medics to respond to the scene with backup and Officer Stiles then escorted Raterman on foot out of the pool hall and outside the building.

“Raterman was compliant and did not physically struggle with us,” Officer Fitcher said. “Raterman was searched and placed into the rear of Cruiser 37.”

At this time, Ayer Medics arrived on scene, along with two Massachusetts State Troopers who also came to assist.

“Officer Stiles remained outside the cruiser monitoring the prisoner while I proceeded back inside Billiards Café along with the two state troopers to conduct interviews and assessments,” Officer Fichter said. “I began to quickly question numerous patrons inside the bar and asked if anyone sustained any injuries resulting from the altercation. I then asked the business staff and employees if anyone needed medical attention. At this time, there were no injuries reported to state troopers or myself as we moved through the pool hall/bar area looking for victims of the alleged assault and battery.”

Officer Fichter then made contact with the female reporting party – a bartender – who stated that she called 911 when the fight began. She said that Raterman became violent toward other patrons when he was asked to leave after accusing the bar staff of not returning his ID card.

“[The reporting party] further advised that Raterman was punching unknown people and throwing chairs after the employees requested that he leave the establishment,” Officer Fitcher said. “I asked [the reporting party] if she could direct me to any person that was assaulted or have them provide a written statement. I continued to speak with patrons inside the pool hall, however, no person wanted to come forward and provide a written statement or provide information to press any charges against Raterman. It was explained to me that the alleged female victim that was pushed against the wall had already left Billiards without being identified. This was the same for some other persons that may have been involved.”

Officer Fichter then spoke with the bar staff/employees regarding the incident.

“They explained that Raterman became belligerent, irate, and violent while he was consuming alcoholic drinks and when he could not find his ID, he began to exchange harsh words engaging in several verbal disputes that ultimately led to the physical altercation,” Officer Fichter said. “Several patrons along with business employees impressed upon me that Raterman was the primary aggressor and provoked the fight/disturbance after he was asked to leave with an attempt to escort him out of the building. After a short time, there were no persons that presented themselves to the police as victims of assault and battery or any person that needed medical attention.”

Officer Fichter and the two state police troopers who arrived on scene then exited the building where Officer Fitcher advised the Ayer Medics that it was okay to clear the scene “clear with no further service necessary at this time.”

“All police units then cleared upon which I conducted the prisoner transport of Mr. Raterman to the Ayer Police Station,” Officer Fichter said. “During the transport, Mr. Raterman continued to tell me that he was assaulted and beat up for no reason. Upon arriving to the police station, Mr. Raterman was booked and bail commissioner notified. During the booking process, Mr. Raterman appeared to be uncomfortable with a complaint of pain in his left shoulder. I asked Mr. Raterman if he wanted medical attention or to be transported to the hospital to which he stated ‘no.’ As we completed the booking process and bail set for personal recognizance, I asked Mr. Raterman if he needed medical attention again as he still appeared to be in pain. Mr. Raterman stated that he would be fine.”

Officer Fichter provided Raterman with an ice pack for his shoulder and told him to seek medical attention at some point after his release should his discomfort continue.

“I explained to him that this injury was most likely sustained during the fight at the pool hall prior to our arrival or from the struggle that ensued when placing him into custody,” Officer Fichter said. “I stated to him that his shoulder injury was most likely the product of his own aggression and that he should receive medical attention. Mr. Raterman denied treatment at this time. After Raterman was secured into cell #2 and the booking process complete. Officer Stiles responded back to Billiards Café to speak with the staff again and get additional detailed information. Officer Stiles was able to obtain several written statements from the employees and respectfully requested the business manager to review and provide any business video surveillance that may have recorded the incident.”

At approximately 1:50 a.m., Raterman was released on $80 cash bail.  

“I conducted a courtesy transport back to his residence (119 Oak Ridge Drive) during such he apologized for the incident,” Officer Fichter said. “Upon clearing his residence, I proceeded back to the station to continue documenting the incident. There is no additional information at this time. Nothing further to report.”

Raterman was formally charged with disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace.

He was arraigned in Ayer District Court on Oct. 15, 2024. Following his arraignment, Raterman was released on his own personal recognizance under the condition that he stay away from The Billiards Café. On Nov. 27, 2024, Raterman attended a pretrial hearing, which was continued to Jan. 14, 2024.

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Disclaimer: If you are wondering why the incident in this story was from October, that’s because I had to file FOIA request(s) to get the court documents for the incident. FOIAs are time consuming.

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