Man arraigned for stealing from Saugus nightclub

SAUGUS – A Brockton man faced a judge Monday after he allegedly stole a bottle of vodka from the problem-plagued Tabu nightclub and assaulted a State Police Trooper in the parking lot.Corwin Etienne, 20, of 6 Chester Ave., Brockton, was arrested and charged with assault and battery on a police officer, larceny under $250, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest shortly after 12:30 a.m. Monday outside the Route 1 club.The Board of Selectmen ordered a partial three-day suspension for Tabu, ordering the nightclub portion of the establishment closed on March 12, 19 and 27, due to repeated violent incidents in the parking lot, including shootings and stabbings over the past three years. The decision was made after about six months of show-cause hearings.In the latest incident, Trooper Aleksandro Fontes says he pulled over a car for a routine traffic stop directly in front of Tabu for an unrelated matter but noticed a large commotion at the club’s main entrance. He allowed the driver to leave and approached the nightclub to see what was going on, according to a police report.As the officer got closer a man later identified as Etienne told him he was hit in the face with a beer bottle as he was exiting the club, according to police. He was bleeding from the mouth and appeared agitated.According to a police report, club bouncer Haralambros Alefantis told police he watched Etienne steal a bottle of Grey Goose vodka a short time earlier and attempt to leave without paying. Etienne was intercepted by bouncers and ordered to return the vodka or pay for it.At this point, Etienne was surrounded by several of his friends who tried to lead him away into the parking lot. Etienne dropped the bottle of vodka in the process.As police continued to question club employees Etienne allegedly tried to run away from the scene.Trooper Fontes says he kept yelling at Etienne to stop and caught up with him. Etienne then allegedly pushed the officer in the chest causing him to lose his balance.Additional officers assisted and grabbed Etienne and ordered him to the ground but he allegedly struggled.After a few tense seconds he was handcuffed and placed into the back of a police car.Lynn District Court Judge Stacey Fortes-White released Etienne on his personal recognizance at his Monday morning arraignment and ordered him back to court April 23 for a pre-trial hearing.