About 100 bar patrons faced off against dozens of police in a downtown Petaluma street early Tuesday in an angry confrontation that ended with arrests and injuries.

Some patrons questioned the actions of bar security personnel, who they say threatened people with a Taser, and of police, who they claim hit a man with a patrol car. One officer also suffered bite wounds from a police dog as the chaotic scene unfolded at 1:30 a.m. at The Rocks bar on Kentucky Street.

Police, however, say the crowd became unruly and threatening. A Sonoma County Sheriff's Office lieutenant said Petaluma officers are investigating the incident with the patrol car as a possible intentional act of a man throwing himself at the vehicle.

The emotionally charged scene was captured by cell phone video cameras, bringing the promise of more scrutiny to the near-melee that began with a night of DJ music, drink and socializing.