Philly mayor Jim Kenney has defended Eagles fans as mostly peaceful during post-Super Bowl celebrations in Philadelphia, despite a “small contingent” of “knuckleheads” garnering all the attention from clickbait-hungry national media news sites eager to spread hysteria.
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But Philly police are very serious about pressing criminal charges against those “knuckleheads” who did break the law or destroy property during the festivities.
“As our investigations continue, and as the tips roll in, we will continue to arrest individuals who committed crimes after the big game,” the police department said in a stern tweet on Wednesday. “If you were involved — turn yourself in now. If you think you might ‘get away with it’ — you will not. We will not forget — we will not stop.”
As our investigations continue, and as the tips roll in, we will continue to arrest individuals who committed crimes after the big game. If you were involved – turn yourself in now. If you think you might “get away with it” – you will not. We will not forget – we will not stop. pic.twitter.com/OlvOQzG96F
— Philadelphia Police (@PhillyPolice) February 7, 2018
John Rigsby, 20, of Malvern, Pennsylvania, was the first Eagles fan identified by Philly police as facing criminal charges. They say Rigsby was with a group of seven who flipped a silver 2017 Nissan Rogue SUV that was parked on the 1400 block of Walnut Street.
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“Several individuals were celebrating in a riotous manner,” the police report stated. “The individuals then grabbed hold of the vehicle and flipped it over onto its driver’s side door causing dents and scratches to it.”
Rigsby is now charged with vandalism, police said.
Other suspects accused of a crime are listed below.
Robert Ehlers, 39, of Morrisville, Pennsylvania, and Brendon Lopez of Bristol, Pennsylvania, were nabbed at 36th and Chestnut by UPenn police tagging the wall of the loading dock next to a Wawa.
They were found with spray-paint cans and ink markers, police say, and are charged with allegedly tagging various locations, including UPenn’s law school, various locations on the 3600 block of Sansom Street and a parking kiosk nearby.
Malcolm Cox, 28, of the 4900 block of Chestnut Street, is charged with aggravated assault after allegedly tossing a bottle at a police vehicle near 14th and Morris streets around 10:53 p.m. Police said he fled on foot but was arrested at Tasker and Carlisle streets.
Mark Thompson, 28, of the 5800 block of Willow Street, is charged with aggravated assault for allegedly attacking a 41-year-old male photographer near City Hall on South Broad Street, repeatedly punching them in the face and causing various injuries. Police allegedly witnessed the incident and nabbed Thompson around 2:10 a.m.
Rubin Garrido, 28, of the 1400 block of Reed Street, is charged with simple assault. He allegedly greeted a friend, then later took off his belt and swung it at the man while on the 1400 block of Bach Place, striking him in the head and cutting him.
Alexander Mawescu, 26, of the 800 block of North 26th Street, allegedly approached a line of officers with police shields near City Hall, where crowding was at its most intense. He allegedly was intoxicated, began banging on the police shields, ignored multiple commands to stop, then “bullrushed the police line” and was taken into custody for disorderly conduct.
Veasna Sary, 24, of the 600 block of Durfor Street, was arrested near Broad and Federal streets for allegedly throwing a bottle at an unmarked police vehicle, which scratched and chipped the car’s windshield. Police said they transported him to Methodist Hospital to treat injuries he sustained in a fight previous to the arrest. He is charged with criminal mischief and propulsion of a missile.
Police are still seeking the public’s help in identifying the dozens of Eagles fans caught on surveillance video looting a Sunoco gas station at Catherine and Broad streets.
Video of two more incidents was released by police on Wednesday. Surveillance images show two men who allegedly used a metal pole to smash a Chestnut Street window at the new AC Moore arts and crafts store, causing an estimated $4,000 in damage.
The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #5 has offered a $3,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspects in that incident.
Police also released video of individuals who smashed the Center City Macy’s storefront windows.
To submit a tip regarding these crimes to police, call 215-686-TIPS (8477) or text a tip to PPDTIP or 773847.
