NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) Demonstrators and Black Lives Matter activists gathered in front of the New Haven Police Department headquarters to protest a 27-year-old man's arrest at a liquor store over the weekend.

The New Haven Register reports (http://bit.ly/1Tfecxl ) Jeffrey Agnew Jr. alleges that he was assaulted by officers Saturday night after he had what he claims was a nonviolent, nonthreatening dispute with a clerk at a Whalley Avenue liquor store.

Agnew says he initially cooperated with police following the incident only to be beaten and arrested by three officers. He has been charged with disorderly conduct and interfering with police.

A police press release announcing Saturday's arrest stated that Agnew refused to be taken into custody and became violent with the officers.

Chief Dean Esserman declined to comment on Agnew's allegations.