Trial Date Set for Fourth of July Brawl Case

Nearly a year after in connection with a Fourth of July donnybrook with police officers, the case is finally going to trial.

San Mateo County Superior Court Judge John Grandsaert on Monday ordered the trial to start in October for Ephraim Rapada, 59, his son Wendell Rapada, 31, and cousins Ervin Rapada, 26, and Crystal Rapada, 28. 

All four face felony charges of battery and resisting arrest stemming from a slugfest with patrol officers last year that allegedly began when someone in an East Avenue apartment tossed an M-1000 firecracker that landed under a patrol car.

Police say Wendell Rapada ran from the scene; they chased him to his apartment, where he resisted arrest, punching and fighting. Six family members emerged, allegedly punching and kicking the officers. One attempted to throw one of the officers off the balcony, police said.

The ensuing brawl left one officer with a concussion and two others with black eyes and multiple bruises, according to the district attorney's office.

Wendell Rapada is also facing a parole violation stemming from a 2010 incident in which he was illegally in possession of a firearm, according to the district attorney's office.

All of the Rapadas, except for Wendell Rapada, remain out of custody.

For more news about San Bruno, follow San Bruno Patch on Twitter and "like" us on Facebook. Got Patch in your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter.