A city police officer was injured while breaking up a fight outside the Auburn post office Sunday night, the Auburn Police Department reported.

The fight initially involved just two men, but the situation escalated after one man resisted police efforts to arrest him and scuffled with officers, police said.

Police were called to the parking lot of the intersection of James and Orchard Streets around 9:55 p.m. Sunday.

Police said as they struggled to arrest Teddy J. Strachan, 30, of 27 Lafayette Place, Auburn, a crowd began to gather and people congregated on nearby porches began to yell obscenities at police.

Strachan's brother, Jeffrey W., 31, of Apt. 1, 8 James St., Auburn, ran toward officers and tried to stop his brother's arrest, police said.

A total of six APD officers and three Cayuga County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to assist.

The man who had been fighting with Teddy, Christopher M. Costello, 28, of Apt. 501, 125 Austin Drive, Auburn, surrendered without incident, police said.

Teddy was charged with resisting arrest and disorderly conduct, and Jeffrey was charged with disorderly conduct and second-degree obstructing governmental administration. Costello was charged with disorderly conduct and released on an appearance ticket.

Officer Kyle Platt sustained hand lacerations and a broken thumb during the physical altercation with Teddy. Platt will be restricted from duty for an unspecified amount of time, police said.

Police said they did not know why the fight started.