Five Penn State students waived preliminary hearings Wednesday on felony riot and other charges in connection with the downtown State College disturbance that followed the Penn State upset of Ohio State on Oct. 22.
Estimated damage from the riot was more than $30,000 after between 5,000 and 10,000 people gathered on the 200 and 300 blocks of East Beaver Avenue between 11:45 p.m. on Oct. 22 and 3 a.m. on Oct. 23.
The crowd damaged a number of street lights and street signs. Police said that one Beaver Avenue light post was removed entirely, other street lights and signs on Beaver Avenue and South Garner Street were damaged and removed, and a stop sign was taken down. Members of the crowd started several small fires, and one woman was taken to Mount Nittany Medical Center after being struck in the head with a bottle.
According to a release from the Centre County District Attorneys office, some members of the crowd threw bottles, cans, wet rolls of toilet paper, and other debris at police riot forces, causing minor injuries.
Those charged with rioting who waived hearings Wednesday were:
Alexander Hatala is charged with one count riot with intent to commit felony, (third-degree felony); one count criminal mischief – tampering with property (third-degree misdemeanor); and one count failure to disperse upon official order (second-degree misdemeanor)
Robert McLaren is charged charged with one count riot with intent to commit felony, (third-degree felony); one count criminal mischief – tampering with property (third-degree misdemeanor); and one count disorderly conduct hazardous (third-degree misdemeanor).
Evan Paris is charged with one count riot with intent to commit felony, (third-degree felony); one count riot with intent to coerce official act (third-degree felony); and one count disorderly conduct hazardous (third-degree misdemeanor).
Jacob Pfaff is charged with one count riot with intent to commit felony, (third-degree felony); one count recklessly endangering another person (second-degree misdemeanor); one count disorderly conduct hazardous (third-degree misdemeanor); and one count criminal mischief-damage property intentionally, recklessly, or negligently (second-degree misdemeanor).
Ahamad Richard is charged with one count riot with intent to commit felony, (third-degree felony); one count disorderly conduct-unreasonable noise; and one count criminal mischief-tampering with property (summary).
Charges for each were bound to Centre County Court of Common Pleas. Formal arraignments are scheduled for Dec. 28.
Eight others also have been charged with a range of misdemeanors and summary offenses in connection with the disturbance.
