Man Arrested, Accused Of Trespassing On Hollywood Sign

HOLLYWOOD, CA - A 24-year-old man was arrested after he climbed the D of the Hollywood sign at least twice Wednesday, at one point waving a banner reading, "I'm back.''

Rangers were called to the scene at 6 p.m., according to Senior Ranger Patrick Joyce of the Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation.

The man climbed the sign, unfurled the banner, which flew away, climbed to the ground, then back up the sign and down again, before he was arrested on suspicion of trespassing in a fire zone, Joyce said.

Public address announcements were made from a Los Angeles Police Department helicopter informing the man that he was trespassing and to climb down from the sign, Joyce said.

He spent a total of 20 to 25 minutes on the giant letter, Joyce said.

The suspect's name was not immediately available, but Joyce said he is a prankster who announced his intention to climb the sign on Twitter. A friend of the man even called news media in advance of today's stunt, Joyce said.

--City News Service