Wall Restaurant Owner Arrested After an Assault with a Knife at a Steakhouse

WALL, TX -- The owner of the Old Gin Steakhouse in Wall, TX was arrested and jailed Monday afternoon following a physical altercation at the restaurant involving a knife.

79-year-old Eugene Cmerek was arrested and booked into the Tom Green County Jail for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.  According to the Tom Green County Sheriff’s Deputy’s report, Cmerek and Arnulfo Rivero Jr. got into a physical altercation.

According to sources, Cmerek owns the Old Gin Steakhouse and Rivero’s father manages the restaurant for Cmerek.

Rivero stated in an interview that Cmerek entered the building and began cursing him.  Rivero said Cmerek reached with both hands for his throat. Rivero then slapped Cmerek’s hands away and retreated into the kitchen area.  

Rivero told the deputy that Cmerek grabbed a knife off a nearby counter and approached Rivero holding the knife like a weapon.  

The deputy interviewed Cmerek who stated it was Rivero who cursed him when Cmerek entered the building and he grabbed the knife to protect himself.

The deputy then reviewed video surveillance from the security camera.  According to the deputy’s report, the video corroborated Rivero’s version of the event and it clearly showed Cmerek as the aggressor.  

Cmerek was then arrested and transported to the Tom Green County Jail.  His bond was set at $20,000.00. Cmerek bonded out at 1:13 p.m. Tuesday.