Tragedy mars otherwise uneventful Salem Halloween

SALEM – The day got off to a rocky start after a man exhibited bizarre behavior before leaping off the roof of his apartment building to his death, but Halloween ended with few major problems in the Witch City, police said.Numerous police units from surrounding towns and the Essex County sheriff’s department converged on downtown festivities while making approximately 25 arrests, mostly on charges ranging from disorderly conduct to drunkenness. Many people were not arrested but received fines for drinking alcohol in public.It was a peaceful Halloween night compared to last year, when two people were stabbed and another was shot.While this year’s events weren’t out of control, police had to contend with numerous fights and disorderly patrons of the downtown area.Two men who were placed into a sheriff’s transport van for protective custody ended up fighting each other while inside the van.At 9:38 p.m., police charged Michael Riley, 20, of Melrose, with assault and battery after striking Ty Arbegast, 19, of Lowell while they were sitting in the patty wagon. Ten minutes later, police charged Arbegast with assault and battery after he allegedly started fighting again and struck Riley.Police were called to Wendy’s fast food restaurant on Lafayette Street numerous times between 10 and 11 p.m. where fights flared up in the large crowd. Among those arrested were John Kelter, 20 and Paul Pustorino, 18, both of Lynn.A house party at 36.5 Buffum St. was broken up by police at 1:36 a.m. after police allegedly went to the home numerous times. Paul Devincent, 23, of Weymouth and Jason Chafe, 22, of Bridgewater, were arrested for disturbing the peace.The Kushco Café at 128 Washington St. was forced by police to close its doors at 3:10 a.m. after it allegedly violated its license by staying open after hours. Police said five tables of customers were still in the store when officers arrived and police would forward a complaint to the city’s licensing board.Unfortunately Halloween began tragically when a man leapt to his death at about 6 a.m. Friday after exhibiting bizarre behavior in the preceding hours. Marvin Joseph, 23, of 143 Canal St. was pronounced dead shortly after he was transported to Salem Hospital.Police had arrested Joseph on Thursday night after he was found walking around Canal Street naked before taking clothes out of a laundromat dryer. He was released early Friday morning hours before police returned to his home following his fatal jump.”We’re still investigating whether drugs or alcohol were involved,” Police Lt. Conrad Prosniewski said Friday.After his arrest Thursday, Joseph was reported as saying to booking officers, “My name is your name, and I’m going to a happy place which is heaven and I want you guys to come with me.”Upon his release from jail, police were called to Joseph’s home after his roommate said he lit fires in their bathroom and got into a physical confrontation.”His roommate? had never seen him act that way in four year,” Prosniewski said.