Man Arrested for Alleged Road Rage, Vandalism After Critical Mass Event

Police arrested a man Saturday on suspicion of committing road rage and vandalism after a Critical Mass bike event last month in San Francisco, police said.

Officers arrested Ian Hespelt, 39, of San Francisco, for allegedly striking a vehicle with a U-lock bicycle lock at about 8:16 p.m. Aug. 28, according to police and a YouTube video.

The video allegedly shows Hespelt and other cyclists crossing Marin Boulevard near Lyon Street into the path of a dark blue Zip Car vehicle, police said.

The video allegedly shows Hespelt blocking the path of the vehicle with his bike and striking the vehicle several times with the lock as the vehicle is leaving the area, according to police.

The vehicle sustained about $2,000 in damage, police said.

Officers on patrol Saturday near the intersection of Third Street and Terry Francois Boulevard saw a person on a bicycle matching the description of the suspect in the video, according to police.

Officers also said the suspect was riding a bike similar to the one in the video of last month’s incident.

Officers detained the suspect and based on evidence booked him on felony offenses of false imprisonment, assault with a deadly weapon, vandalism and maliciously and willfully throwing a substance at a vehicle, police said.

Officers also booked Hespelt for a misdemeanor offense of inciting a riot, according to police.

Keith Burbank, Bay City News

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