Police involved in fight at Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet

SANTA FE SPRINGS -- Police arrested two men late Friday who fought with an officer at the Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet, authorities said.
Larry Manriquez, 23, of Norwalk was booked on suspicion of interfering with a peace officer and possession of a loaded handgun, Whittier police Sgt. Terry McAllister said. Erik Ferrel, 20, of El Monte was suspected of felony obstruction with justice, interfering with peace officer and assault on a peace officer.
The incident began about 10 p.m. at the Swap Meet, 13963 Alondra Boulevard, the sergeant said.
Whittier police, who were hired by the event for security, handled a fight in the snack bar area, McAllister said.
As an officer was responding to the altercation when he saw a man -- later identified as Manriquez -- hiding something in his pocket.
The officer chased down the man, who began fighting with the officer, he said. During the struggle, a loaded handgun allegedly fell out of Manriquez's pocket.
The officer struck Manriquez with a baton, knocking him to the grown.
While the officer was still taking Manriquez into custody, Ferrel approached from behind and punched the officer in the head, McAllister said.
The officer then struck Ferrel in the head with a baton, knocking him to the ground.
Additional police officers and sheriff's deputies then arrived to help take the two men into custody, police said.
At least one more man fought with police during the incident but ran off and could not be found, the sergeant said.
According to sheriff's booking records, Manriquez was being held in lieu of $20,000 bail, while Ferrel was being held without bail. No information was available Saturday regarding their initial court dates.