Graffiti Artist Hits 'Like' On Facebook And Gets Arrested For His Alleged Role In Riot
HUNTINGTON BEACH (CBSLA.com) — A graffiti artist who allegedly tagged a police car during a riot in Huntington Beach last month clicked the "like" button on the police department's Facebook page, triggering his arrest, police said Sunday.
Huntington Beach police took to Facebook to trumpet the arrest of Luis Enrique Rodriguez, 18, of Anaheim.
Three people have now been arrested in connection with the incident, in which thousands of people gathered in the streets following the Vans U.S. Open of Surfing. Large crowds failed to disperse and immediately got rowdy. Numerous fights broke out, windows were shattered, people tried to loot a bicycle store and portable toilets were upended.
Rodriguez, "apparently proud of his actions, 'liked' the Huntington Beach Police Department's picture # 15 and shared it with his friends, which was noticed by numerous fans on our Facebook page and a series of tips led to his identification," police posted.
On his own Facebook profile, Rodriguez says he works in a strip club, studied pilot training at Anaheim High School and was in the United States Air Force.
Rodriguez was arrested Friday for vandalism. A police investigation reportedly showed him spraying an obscene request against "the pigs" on the sides of police cars at the scene of the July 28 riot.
A 17-year-old West Covina boy also turned himself in Tuesday after Huntington Beach police detectives contacted his family.
"Our investigation shows him damaging the portable toilets and attempting to tip over a public works trucks," according to a statement posted Saturday on the Huntington Beach Police Department's Facebook page. "He was arrested and released to his parents for charges of felony vandalism, inciting a riot and refusing to disperse when ordered."
Huntington Beach resident Anthony Abadier, 20, was arrested at his home on Aug. 11, according to police. Abadier reportedly used his skateboard to smash newspaper stands.
He was booked for felony vandalism, participating in an unlawful assembly and refusing to disperse when ordered.
The Huntington Beach Police Department issued the following statement on its Facebook page:
"Many investigations are still actively being pursued, arrests warrants being obtained, and more arrests are pending in the near future. The Huntington Beach Police Department remains committed to identifying and arresting anyone engaged in unlawful behavior occurring during this incident. We greatly appreciate all the assistance members of the public have provided."
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