Police warn Maryland students, fans

Plans in effect to 'aggressively arrest' rioters Monday

A mounted police officer uses his horse to help disperse a crowd after Maryland's win Saturday. AP

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Police warned University of Maryland students and fans Sunday that raucous behavior and vandalism will not be tolerated after the NCAA championship game Monday night.

"We're not playing around. We're going to be ready," University police Maj. Cathy Atwell said. Maryland will face Indiana on Monday night in the national title game in Atlanta.

Atwell said police will "aggressively arrest" people in crowds that don't disperse when ordered. And they'll permit absolutely no bonfires, such as blaze last year that caused $500,000 worth of damage after the Terps' Final Four loss to Duke. Officers in College Park rode horseback and used guns to shoot pellets full of pepper spray at students and fans celebrating Maryland's win over Kansas early Sunday morning. Revelers got too rowdy for officers' comfort, police said, when they began throwing bottles, pulling up street signs and smashing store windows.

About 10 people broke into a police car and stole flares that they lit and threw at officers. Police closed a two-block section of Route 1 when a crowd of about 2,000 gathered, Atwell said.

Two men were arrested, one charged with destruction of property and the other with theft under $500, said Prince George's County police Cpl. Robert Clark. No one was injured, police said.

Both arrests came after students smashed windows and broke into the Maryland Book Exchange, an off-campus book store.

The disturbance surprised police, who saw calm crowds after the Terps' Orange Bowl loss in January and after the farewell game in Cole Field House on March 3.

"So far this season, we've not had a problem, we thought we were in good shape," Atwell said.

University police, Prince George's County police, state police, U.S. Park Police and Prince George's County fire officials will assemble in town and on campus Monday night, Atwell said.

They'll patrol Cole Field House, where the championship game against Indiana in Atlanta will be televised. Officers also will gather at fraternity row, the high-rise dormitories and on Route 1.

Atwell said University police are canceling time off -- every available officer is being called in to work Monday night. Police will carry the pellet guns, and some will wear full riot gear -- helmets, shields and batons -- as they did Sunday morning.

Linda Clement, Vice President of Student Affairs, posted a note on the University's web site urging students to celebrate peacefully.

"Let's respond to the outcome of the championship game with the same class, dignity and pride that our outstanding athletes have shown throughout the season," the post read. "They reflect the best of the University of Maryland, and so should all of us."

 

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