22 Jun 2010

Arrests after Lakers victory parade

11:54 am on 22 June 2010

Nine people have been arrested during an LA Lakers victory parade, bringing to about 60 the number apprehended in the wake of their NBA basketball championship win.

The Los Angeles police chief warned rowdy revellers that he would not stand for a repeat of Friday when Laker fans started fires, threw rocks and bottles at police, harassed motorists and jumped on their vehicles.

Police did not give an estimate of damage to businesses and property around Staples Center arena but did say more than 40 people were arrested immediately following the Lakers' 83-79 win over the Boston Celtics in game seven of the Finals series.

The two-time reigning NBA champion Lakers agreed to shoulder the estimated two million dollar cost of the event, including costs for police and street services.

Thousands of people jammed into the downtown to get a glimpse of the players who road aboard a flat-bed truck that started at Staples Center then travelled to the USC campus.