NEWPORT BEACH, CA — Nearly half the people arrested in a Tik Tok takeover that led to looting and closures during Newport Beach's busiest summer weekend were from Arizona, authorities confirmed.
Of the 353 arrested or cited by police on the Fourth of July, only 10 were Newport Beach residents, The Orange County Register reported. The rest were evenly split between California and Arizona residents, ranging in age from 13 to 39..
The news comes after city public works employees have been hard at work cleaning the streets of Balboa Peninsula of cans, trash and other debris incurred by the massive flood of holiday crowds.
About 316 people were cited for misdemeanors and 37 were arrested, including 25 juvenile arrests, according to the report.
Of those suspects, 161 were from California and 145 were from Arizona, the report said.
It was not immediately clear what crimes that those arrested were accused of committing.
The Fourth of July celebration that attracts thousands of people to the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach every year devolved into chaos Saturday when the fights broke out.
According to police, a "Tiktok takeover" triggered the ruckus.
"Yesterday, as our nation celebrated its semi-quincentennial with families and neighbors gathering peacefully, joyfully, and safely...a large group of agitators invaded Newport Beach, spurred on by an alleged 'TikTok Takeover,'" Newport Beach Police Association President Joe DeJulio said. "These persons came to our city with the intent on causing harm, injury, and destruction, bringing harassment, disturbances, and mayhem."
Young adults and minors threw explosive mortars, fireworks and other projectiles at crowds, prompting law enforcement officers to block roadways and restrict vehicle access, police said.
In addition, a police officer struck by a mortar was treated at the scene.
Video shows police on horseback charging into a crowd on the beach to break up the Fourth of July revelers.
Amid the chaos, some people threw punches at other partygoers and a nearby Pavilions supermarket on West Balboa Boulevard was ransacked, police said.
A "TikTok takeover," is when a large, unannounced crowds of teens coordinate via platforms like TikTok or Instagram to meet up at a specific public location.
"The sudden influx of thousands of people into a confined area within a short period of time created an immediate threat to public safety and required a coordinated regional law enforcement response," the Newport Beach Police Department said in a statement. "Following an unlawful assembly declaration, more than 350 officers from the Newport Beach Police Department and 17 regional law enforcement agencies worked together to clear the area, disperse the crowd, restore emergency access and protect residents and visitors."
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