Wookie Goes Wacky In Hollywood
A man dressed as Chewbacca from the Star Wars movies was arrested after police said the street performer head-butted a tour guide operator in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
Frederick Evan Young, 44, of Los Angeles was booked Thursday for investigation of misdemeanor battery, police Lt. Paul Vernon said, The Los Angeles Times reported late Friday.
Police said the 6-foot-4 street performer was seen arguing Thursday afternoon with a tour guide who had expressed concern the wookie impersonator was "harassing and touching tourists" in violation of city law.
The city passed ordinances last year seeking to crack down on the colorful assortment of actors who perform outside the landmark theater. The move was prompted by complaints from tourists who said the actors were aggressive and abusive if they refused to pay for pictures taken with the characters.
Security guards escorted Young off theater property, but Chewbacca decided to strike back and head-butted the tour guide, Vernon said.
"The lesson here is you can have the force with you," Vernon said. "You just can't use illegal force."
Young could not be reached for comment. His telephone number was unlisted.
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The tour guide, Brian Sapir, told the Los Angeles Times that he asked the Chewbacca character to stop harassing two young Japanese tourists when the actor exploded in anger.
"He said, 'Nobody tells this wookie what to do,"' Sapir said.