Downtown LA Foot Locker, Other Stores Looted, Multiple Arrests After Dodgers World Series Celebrations Turn Violent
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – A Foot Locker was among several downtown Los Angeles businesses which were looted or vandalized after the Dodgers clinched their first World Series in 32 years Tuesday night.
Several stores and restaurants in downtown and East L.A. saw their windows shattered and their entrances sprayed with graffiti. Cell phone video showed people pouring into a store at the intersection of 7th Street and South Broadway. Looters also broke into a Verizon store.
"I feel like they just took away everything that I worked for, ever, you know," Shahim Mostadin, owner of Broadway Smokehouse, said. "I'm speechless honestly."
Mostadin said his store suffered up to $70,000 in losses after being targeted by looters Tuesday night.
"Dodgers winning, it's supposed to be fun," he said. "What are you doing hurting other people's businesses?"
At least eight people were arrested on various charges, Los Angeles police told CBSLA early Wednesday morning. Three officers suffered minor injuries.
"It affects the whole community, and I feel like people don't understand that there's a whole community in downtown Los Angeles," Claudia Olivera, a member of the DTLA Neighborhood Council, said.
People set off fireworks and smoke bombs in many neighborhoods and then took to the streets, ignoring warnings from health officials not to gather in large crowds due to coronavirus concerns. Several fires were set in the middle of intersections.
People jumped on top of trucks and cars, blocking intersection and doing donuts. The LAPD declared an unlawful assembly a little after midnight as it broke up the crowd.
Police had tried to discourage the behavior by having Dodgers broadcasting legend Vin Scully send a message to the fans.
"And now, together, let's celebrate the right way, in honor of our city, and in honor of the Dodgers," Scully said in the video posted to the Dodgers' social media pages.
There were no reports of injuries.
"People just don't know how to celebrate, they just choose to do this, it's sad," construction worker Conner Sims said.
"Next time let's not destroy the stores in our neighborhood," downtown L.A. resident Jamiel Perry said.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said it arrested 10 people, most for failing to follow a dispersal order in East Los Angeles.
The situation was reminiscent of the celebrations that followed the Lakers title win just over two weeks ago when more than 75 people were arrested amid looting and vandalism downtown near Staples Center.
During that violence, several people were shot by police with less-lethal rounds.
