SIMI VALLEY : 4 Held in Attempt to Cite Drinker, 20

Four Simi Valley residents, including two middle-aged women, were arrested on misdemeanor charges of battery or resisting arrest after an officer attempted to cite a 20-year-old man for drinking wine in his front yard, police said Sunday.

Sgt. Larry Twichell said officers knew Ernie Diaz was not old enough to drink alcohol legally because of previous contacts with him. They attempted to ticket him at his home on 1942 4th St. Saturday afternoon, but he became physically combative, Twichell said. Three other people who intervened in the argument were also arrested, including Diaz’s 38-year-old mother, Rebecca Diaz.

Rebecca Diaz was arrested for interfering with police and resisting arrest after she tried to pull her son away from the officers, Twichell said.

Margaret Ramirez, 40, was arrested on suspicion of battery on an officer after she struck Officer Steve Greenwood in the head with a bottle, Twichell said. Greenwood was not injured, Twichell said. Ramirez denied striking the officer. She said she did attempt to pull Ernie Diaz away from the officers because “when I saw that kid being strangled, I thought they were going to kill him.”

Ramirez said her right hand was fractured by police. Police confirmed that Ramirez was treated at a local hospital after she fell during the disturbance.

Twichell said the 10 officers who responded did not mistreat anyone.

Police also arrested Jesse Serrano, 19, for allegedly resisting arrest after he began screaming expletives at police officers, Twichell said.

All four were cited and released.