Man arrested in fight with officer at Axis

A student was arrested Wednesday after a fight with an IU police officer outside a Bloomington nightclub, police said.\nSophomore Thomas E. Kirk was arrested Wednesday night at Axis Nightclub, 419 North Walnut St., for dealing in a controlled substance, battery on a police officer, battery and resisting law enforcement, police said.\nAn Axis bouncer told police he found a man in the men's bathroom and suspected he was dealing drugs, according to police. The bouncer took the man out of the building, where he began to struggle with the bouncer, police said.\nIU police officer Brian Oliger spotted the struggle, Lt. Jerry Minger said. When Oliger approached, the man attempted to flee, Minger said. The bouncer grabbed one arm, and Oliger grabbed the other arm, Minger said. All three fell to the ground, and the man landed on Oliger's right knee, Minger said.\nOliger arrested Kirk for the incident, and while searching him found substances believed to be methadox and methamphetamines, Minger said.\nKirk was cut on his head and face, and the bouncer reported an injury to his right thumb. Kirk and Oliger were treated at Bloomington Hospital. Kirk received three stitches in his chin, and Oliger visited a specialist for possible ligament damage in his knee.\n Kirk was charged with dealing a controlled substance, battery on a police officer and battery, according to the jail. He was being held in lieu of $500 cash bond and $40,000 surety.\n It was the first incident of drug trafficking at Axis and one of the few fights there, assistant manager Will Habens said.\n "We don't have a problem (with drugs) at all," Habens said. "We have a bad reputation because we're one of Bloomington's only real dance clubs, but it really doesn't fit."\n Habens said at least three police officers are on Axis' security staff, and the security supervisor at the front door is a sheriff's deputy.