Moviegoer Pepper-Sprayed For Using Cell Phone During Film: Reports

BURBANK, CA — A man was cited and released for allegedly pepper-spraying a patron who was using a cell phone during a movie in Burbank, according to multiple media reports.

The incident occurred at about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the AMC Burbank, 125 E. Palm Ave. A witness told police that about 40 minutes into the movie, the hiss of aerosol spray could be heard from a few rows behind, according to KTLA5.

Moments later, a moviegoer was heard yelling. The suspect was reportedly seen fleeing the theater after the incident. The witness contacted police, who located the man in the theater lobby and took him into custody.

Matthew Douglas Ware, 34, was cited for misdemeanor battery and released at 7:22 a.m. Wednesday, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Inmate Information Center.

Two other moviegoers complained of irritation from the pepper spray, NBC4 reported.

— City News Service