‘Likes’ on police Facebook page leads to surf riot arrest

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif.>> Authorities in a Southern California beach community say they tracked down a suspected vandal after he "liked" photos on the police department’s Facebook page of patrol cars damaged in a riot that followed a popular surf contest.

Huntington Beach police say 18-year-old Luis Enrique Rodriguez of Anaheim was taken into custody Friday on vandalism charges for allegedly scrawling obscenities on the side of police cruisers.

The Orange County Register Opens in a new tab reported that investigators identified Rodriguez after the activity on the Huntington Beach Police Department’s Facebook page produced a series of tips.

The damage took place during mob violence last month that followed a surfing tournament in the community.

An off-duty firefighter was among those arrested after a mob broke windows, looted and fought along the downtown streets.

Rodriguez was arrested by Anaheim police.