Huntington Beach Police Continue To Search For Suspects In US Open Melee
HUNTINGTON BEACH (CBSLA.com) — Authorities continued Tuesday to search for suspects in the US Open melee as the first of seven suspects arrested in crime spree was due in court.
Chase Scott Christman, 19, was arrested Sunday for felony vandalism and failure to disperse after police shot him the in back using rubber bullets, authorities said.
According to Huntington Beach police, a crowd caused a "major" disturbance in downtown Sunday night after the surfing event ended with more than 200 local officers called to the scene.
"Damage included damage to city vehicles, portable toilets, newspaper racks, broken windows and street signs," Lt. Mitchell O'Brien said.
Several police officers were also treated for minor injuries sustained from crowds throwing bottles and rocks at them.
Many of the crimes were caught on camera and posted on social media, including one committed by Christman who was identified in a video kicking down a porta-potty.
"They were so excited from the adrenalin from seeing all this, all these people who want to fight getting all the attention from the crowd that they wanna start doing it now," Christman explained to CBS2 from an Orange County jail.
Six other suspects were also arrested in the incident, including one for assault with a deadly weapon, police said.
Police are seeking the public's help in identifying an additional suspect who allegedly used a city stop sign to break a window of the Easyrider Bike Shop.
Officials said the skirmish was not planned on social media.
Huntington Beach police were still looking for additional suspects and requested that anyone with pictures, video or information to call (714) 375-5066. Photographs and footage can also be sent to a special email address set up for the investigation at HBPDfiles@gmail.com.
Christman, of Simi Valley, is being held on $20,000 bail.
A special city council meeting was scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday to address safety concerns in the city.
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