Two men charged with felonies after bar fight

By MIA SIMPSON/mia.simpson@austindailyherald.com

Two Austin men face multiple felony assault charges after arrests during a bar fight Sunday night.

Manuel Contrareas-Castro, 40, and Ezequiel Cruz Ibarronda, 29, were both charged with two counts of felony assault in the 2nd degree and one count of assault in the 3rd degree after police witnessed the two beating a man outside the Palacio Cumbia bar at 200 Second Ave. in front of a crowd of 40 to 50 people.

Capt. Curt Rude of the Austin Police Department said Ibarronda was repeatedly punching the victim, Jesus Marquez Delacruz, 33, while holding him against the wall. Contrares-Cruz then approached with a 5-foot stick and hit Delacruz in the head several times before breaking it.

He dropped the stick and was placed in handcuffs after being stunned with a Taser by police, who had been yelling at the two to stop. Ibarronda then ran south through the crowd and was located a short while later hiding underneath the bar at Palacio.

He was also tased in the leg after he refused to stir when found by police. Delacruz was transported to Austin Medical Center with wounds to the face, head and hand.

Witnesses said the fight had began on the bar dance floor before making its way outside.

Bail for the two defendants were set at $50,000 or $25,000 with conditions for Ibarronda, also known as Pablo Cuauthmoc Verde Montiel according to court documents and $100,000 or $50,000 with conditions for Contrares-Castro, who must maintain contact with Immigration and Customs Enforcement if released.

The complaint did not say whether or not the two were in the country illegally.

Their next court date is scheduled for Sept. 13.