Police arrest 23 during Celtics revelry

June 18, 2008 01:50 PM Email| Comments (0)| Text size – +

(David Kamerman/Globe Staff)

By Globe Staff

Boston police arrested 23 people early this morning when some celebrations turned rowdy after the Celtics routed the Lakers in the NBA Finals.

(David Kamerman/Globe Staff)

Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis announced the tally at a press conference today. One of the revelers arrested after the Celtics championship win was Gary Zerola, a former prosecutor who was acquitted of rape charges. Police officers are still reviewing video tapes to identify other people who vandalized storefronts and engaged in other destructive behavior, Davis said.

The alleged rowdies were being arraigned today at Boston Municipal Court.

A crowd traveled from the Garden to Faneuil Hall, with some revelers tearing apart park benches, flipping over flower pots, trash barrels, and newspaper boxes, and trying to light fires with the garbage. A group smashed a window in a building on Canal Street.

Keith Nashawaty, general counsel for Vantage Deluxe World Travel, which owns a building at 90 Canal, estimated that broken windows and other damage by the revelers would cost the company $50,000.

"There's always a benefit to being near the Garden, but it bites you on a night like last night," he said.

After the Celtics' 131-92 victory, police dressed in black tactical gear patrolled across the city on bike and on foot, wielding batons.

The vast majority of the revelry was exuberant but peaceful. In the bars around the Garden and Fenway Park, faithful and fair-weather fans alike high-fived, hugged, and toasted the team's success. They saluted the unflagging intensity of Kevin Garnett, the parade of three-pointers by Ray Allen, the all-around brilliance of team captain Paul Pierce, and the steady contributions of a standout bench.

Police this afternoon released the following list of people who were arrested:

Nicholas Herman, 23, Newton -- disorderly conduct Robert Kelly, 19, Saugus -- disorderly conduct
Nicholas Lawler, 28, Georgetown -- disorderly person

Rasmus Wallendahl, 20, Cambridge -- disorderly person

James Peacock, 19, Boston -- disorderly conduct, other charges

Hagos Mesgoun, 30, Boston -- disorderly conduct, other charges

Gary Zerola, 36, Boston -- indecent exposure, assault and battery on a police officer

Thomas Bridwell, 23, Dorchester -- disorderly conduct, other charges

Andre Walter Reed, 23, Mattapan -- disorderly person

Lawrence Patterson, 36, Roslindale -- disorderly person

Kerlenz Benjamin, 21, Randolph -- disorderly person

Vincent Salvatoriello, 21, Boston -- disorderly person

Richard Russo, 18, Malden -- disorderly person

Brian Johnson, 38, Rome, N.Y. -- larceny over $250, other charges

Michael Tarrant, 54, Melrose -- drinking alcoholic beverages in public

Kevin Costa, 22, Lowell -- disorderly person

Shawn Ivey, 24, Andover -- assault and battery on a police officer

Joseph Stella, 20, Saugus -- disorderly person

Christopher O’Neil, 24, Allston -- destruction or injury of personal property

Matthew Burke, 23, Leominster -- disorderly conduct, other charges

Norbert Guery, 18, Andover -- assault and battery on a police officer

Keith Patterson, 26, Boston -- operating under the influence of alcohol

Justin Eid, 22, Dedham -- malicious destruction of property