Some celebrations turned violent and destructive after the Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI Sunday night. Large crowds gathered in downtown Los Angeles, surrounding passing vehicles, setting off fireworks, climbing signs and shutting down streets.
LAPD went into a tactical alert and several off-ramps from the 110 Freeway were closed.
“We are seeing violent and destructive behavior by large crowds in the heart of the downtown L.A. area,” the LAPD tweeted a little after 10:30 p.m. Sunday.
LAPD officials issued a dispersal order for parts of Downtown Los Angeles, as Super Bowl victory celebrations became problematic in certain areas of the city. At one point a group climbed onto an empty Metro bus, one of two busses that were vandalized, and tagged it with graffiti CBSLA reported.
Burglars were also caught on video breaking into a jewelry store, shattering the door and counters. Video on social media also showed several members of the crowd looting various stores on the intersections of both Sixth Street and Olive Street, and 5th Street and Broadway. Launching of illegal fireworks were also reported around the city.
In total, 19 locations were vandalized, police said. Investigators are expected to review surveillance video over the coming days to attempt to identify suspects.
