Revelers at the June 14th Lakers melee near the Staples Center. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) |
LOS ANGELES-- A man was charged for arson Friday, in connection with the destructive melee outside the Staples Center when the Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA Finals.
Paul Robert Loban, 25, has been charged with one felony count of arson of the property of another, according to the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office.
Right after the June 14th game in which the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Orlando Magic for the NBA Championship, many people celebrated in front of the theater. However, many of the celebrators went beyond rowdiness and became violent and destructive- going so far as to loot stores, start fires, set off fireworks, and throw rocks and bottles at police.
Loban, who was a member of the raucous crowd, allegedly started a fire on Chick Hearn Court right outside the Nokia Theatre, and was one of the people arrested in connection to illegal activities during the June 14th Lakers celebration, said officials.
According to prosecutors, if convicted, Loban faces 3 years in prison for his part in the Lakers melee.
Businesses near the Staples Center suffered huge damages due to the out-of-control crowd. The Holy Grail, a vintage shoe store, was broken into and robbed of almost its entire stock of shoes, with damages reportedly over $100,000. A Shell gas station at Olympic Boulevard and Grand was also looted, and 6 vacant metro buses were damaged and tagged.
Eight police officers were injured during the violent melee and 12 LAPD vehicles were vandalized, say reports.
Arrests in connection with the often violent celebration on the evening of June 14th are still being made and will continue to be, with the help of broadcast footage captured on scene.
"Police used video coverage of the events to create still photos of the suspects as they're doing these things," said Richard French of the LAPD Media Relations Section.
On Friday, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jan Perry offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the capture of more looters and vandals.
Anyone with information on any suspect identities is asked to call the LAPD Robbery and Homicide Division at (213) 473-4222 or (877)-LAPD-24-7.
Paul Robert Loban, 25, has been charged with one felony count of arson of the property of another, according to the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office.
Right after the June 14th game in which the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Orlando Magic for the NBA Championship, many people celebrated in front of the theater. However, many of the celebrators went beyond rowdiness and became violent and destructive- going so far as to loot stores, start fires, set off fireworks, and throw rocks and bottles at police.
Loban, who was a member of the raucous crowd, allegedly started a fire on Chick Hearn Court right outside the Nokia Theatre, and was one of the people arrested in connection to illegal activities during the June 14th Lakers celebration, said officials.
According to prosecutors, if convicted, Loban faces 3 years in prison for his part in the Lakers melee.
Businesses near the Staples Center suffered huge damages due to the out-of-control crowd. The Holy Grail, a vintage shoe store, was broken into and robbed of almost its entire stock of shoes, with damages reportedly over $100,000. A Shell gas station at Olympic Boulevard and Grand was also looted, and 6 vacant metro buses were damaged and tagged.
Eight police officers were injured during the violent melee and 12 LAPD vehicles were vandalized, say reports.
Arrests in connection with the often violent celebration on the evening of June 14th are still being made and will continue to be, with the help of broadcast footage captured on scene.
"Police used video coverage of the events to create still photos of the suspects as they're doing these things," said Richard French of the LAPD Media Relations Section.
On Friday, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jan Perry offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the capture of more looters and vandals.
Anyone with information on any suspect identities is asked to call the LAPD Robbery and Homicide Division at (213) 473-4222 or (877)-LAPD-24-7.
