WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP | An angry fan who attacked a referee following a basketball game Friday didn't realize until too late that he was attacking an Indiana State Police trooper.

Sixty-four-year-old Patrick Rempala, of Michigan City, was taken to the Porter County Jail on charges of battery and resisting. The arrest came after the boys basketball game between host Washington Township High School and Michigan City Marquette.

Glen Fifield, the referee who was attacked, told police that Rempala rushed out of the stands after the game and confronted the referees, screaming "you suck."

And after Rempala pointed at his chest and bumped Fifield, a school official stepped in, Fifield said.

After he was pushed, Fifield identified himself as a police officer and told Rempala that he was under arrest.

Rempala responded, "You can't arrest me, you're a referee," and he pushed the state trooper again.

After a struggle, and with assistance from spectators, Fifield gained control of Rempala and arrested him.

Fifield said he's been confronted by fans before, but this is the first time he's been attacked in his six years as a referee.

"It's just a shame it had to happen where kids could see," Fifield said.