Update: Mob Violence Erupts After Surf Contest

Written by City News Service

Marching across broken glass and firing pepper rounds, Huntington Beach police arrested eight people Sunday during about two hours of fights, vandalism and other violence at the end of the Van's U.S. Open of Surfing, authorities said.

"The police now have control of the downtown area and the disturbance is quelled," Huntington Beach police Lt. Mitchell O'Brien said. "Eight arrests were made for failure to disperse and those suspects were booked at the city jail.

"Damage included damage to city vehicles, portable toilets, newspaper racks, broken windows and street signs," he said. "Loss of property is still being determined. No injuries were reported."   

The trouble started about 7 p.m. at Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway, following the end of the eight-day surfing competition.

"A large fight broke out and, when officers attempted to break up the disturbance, the crowd moved into the downtown area," O'Brien said.  "The crowds began fighting, damaging property and refused to disperse," he said.

"(Huntington Beach police) requested mutual aid from other agencies to help disperse the crowd," O'Brien said. "The area was declared an unlawful assembly and officers have moved in to deal with the crowd and make arrests."

Video from the scene showed officers standing on broken glass from downtown business windows and firing pepper rounds at some of the young men they pushed away.

"We are seeking additional suspects," O'Brien said. He asked anyone with pictures, video or information to please call the Huntington Beach Police Department Hotline at 714-375-5066.

People noted on Facebook that there were several videos on YouTube and Instagram clearly showing vandals' faces that should prove helpful to investigators.