HOUSTON — Two Dynamo players were arrested over the weekend after a scuffle with police outside a bar on Houston’s trendy Washington Avenue strip.
Tyler Deric, a 23-year-old backup goalie, was charged with felony assault of a police officer. Warren Creavalle, a 21-year-old recent draft pick, was charged with misdemeanor interference.
Deric’s attorney, Allen Tanner, said the players and several teammates were trying to get into Roosevelt Lounge in the 5200 block of Washington around 4 a.m. Sunday. Tanner claims they were denied entry because members of their party were African-American.
A fight broke out in the parking lot. A witness, who didn’t want to go on camera, said he saw Deric chest-bump an HPD officer. According to police, Deric threw the uniformed HPD officer to the ground, seriously injuring him. Officer Ramon Perez was off-duty and working an extra job at the club. HPD refused to comment on Perez's condition.
Tanner said his client is innocent.
"Tyler is not guilty of what’s charged," Tanner said.
Both Dynamo members posted bond and are in California with the team.
Dynamo officials released a statement late Tuesday afternoon: "The Houston Dynamo organization is aware of the recent matter involving Tyler Deric. We take these issues extremely seriously."
We were unable to reach the owner of Roosevelt Lounge for comment on the case. A witness said there were several African-Americans inside the club Saturday night.
Deric, a Klein High School graduate, was the first homegrown Dynamo Academy player to sign with Houston’s professional soccer team.
