State College Police on Monday afternoon asked for the public’s help in identifying individuals in photos from the riot in downtown State College that followed Penn State’s Big Ten Championship win Saturday night.
Police posted 19 photos on the State College Borough website and asked that anyone who can identify the individuals pictured or who has more information contact the department at (814) 234-7150. Tips and photos can be submitted anonymously here.
Police said four individuals so far have been identified to be charged with alleged crimes stemming from the riot.
After the game ended in Indianapolis, fans poured into the streets of downtown State College in celebration, largely on East Beaver Avenue. Some, however, turned the celebration destructive.
Street signs and light posts were taken down, the window of the former Canyon Pizza location was smashed, cars were damaged, individuals kicked and broke the glass of a bus stop shelter and debris was thrown from apartment balconies and in the streets. Local and Pennsylvania State Police, including some on horses were out in force, blocking off streets, ordering the crowd to disperse and using pepper spray for crowd control.
Penn State released a statement on Monday condemning the destructive behavior. A preliminary damage estimate from the borough was not yet available as of Monday.
A similar disturbance followed Penn State’s upset win over Ohio State in October. Police also sought the public’s help at the time identifying suspects from photos. Thirteen people were charged in that incident, including five Penn State students who were charged with felony rioting.
