Police Arrest Man Suspected Of Smashing Car Window During Critical Mass
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- San Francisco police have arrested a bicyclist they say became violent during last month's Critical Mass bike ride.
The suspect was caught on video using a bike lock to smash the window of a Zipcar.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, 39-year-old Ian Hespelt of San Francisco was found on Saturday night riding near AT&T Park.
Bike-mounted officers noticed that Hespelt and his bike matched the video.
Hespelt was arrested on four felony charges including suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and false imprisonment. He was also booked on a misdemeanor charge of inciting a riot.
The attack happened during a Critical Mass ride along the Marina District last month.
The video shows a group of cyclists riding against traffic on Marina Boulevard as a Zipcar station wagon creeps ahead of a group of halted cars. One cyclist stops in front of the moving car and yelled "Stop that!" as other cyclists begin to surround the car.
Warning: Video Contains Some Profane Language
"You f–ing hit my bike," the original cyclist is heard saying as others join in to confront the driver.
The driver tries to back up and maneuver around the group but is blocked again. As the driver begins to make her way past the group, one cyclist, allegedly Hespelt, hits and smashes the driver side window with a U-lock.
On its FAQ page, Critical Mass organizers say: "We oppose anti-social behavior of all kinds, and when we see bicyclists harassing motorists or picking fights we confront them. We promote an open approach that invites motorists to join us and does not assume the worst about people we don't know. We have also circulated dozens of flyers over the years criticizing bad behavior, with some success."
