Beatdown in BJ’s Restaurant bathroom: Oakley man faces felony case

NEWARK — An Oakley man was arrested and charged with beating a man and causing serious bodily injury after the two fought next to a restroom urinal inside a BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, court records show.

The trouble started on Jan. 15, when the alleged victim accused the suspect, a 23-year-old man, of tagging near the urinal inside the restroom. The 23-year-old denied it and the argument delved into a fight, which ended when the victim left the restroom with a bloody face, authorities said.

An employee called Newark police. The 23-year-old man was arrested after police reviewed footage that showed him slapping the alleged victim inside the dining area, which the suspect had denied doing, authorities said in court filings.

Prosecutors filed a lone battery charge against the man and aren’t prosecuting him for the graffiti, court records show. Police said the victim suffered a three-inch cut on his head and “had blood around his nose, mouth, and along the right side of his head.”

The suspect hasn’t yet made a court appearance. The case was filed on Friday, records show.