Police have arrested three people in connection to a wild West Chester party in which guests flipped a car onto its side.
Police were called to a home in the 400 block of South Walnut Street around 12:42 p.m. Saturday after neighbors complained of loud noise. Police say several college students were among the hundreds of people in attendance.
"We saw a cop come maybe a half hour after it started," said Andrea Lavish, a West Chester student. "I asked, 'are you going to shut it down?' She said, 'I'm not sure yet,' and she let it continue. Then about 45 minutes later more cops came and shut it down."
Investigators say about 500 people were on Walnut Street at the time when police ordered them to leave. Some people in the crowd became angry -- a few stood on parked cars and began chanting.
"Everyone was intoxicated," said John Weinstein, another West Chester student. "Not intoxicated to the point where they were going to pass out. Just intoxicated. People kept chanting U.S.A."
Disclaimer: This video contains explicit language.
Local
Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood.
Witnesses said a group leaving the party pushed a van on the street.
"There were cars moving and people just wouldn't move out of the street," said Liz Steinberg, another student at West Chester. "They were jumping on top, dancing."
Several people in a group then pushed an automobile on its side, damaging its passenger side.
"Ten to 12 guys started pushing on this car," said Weinstein. "Next thing you know the car was sideways, people were screaming. People were running down the back alley. Just chaos."
Police arrested three people in connection to the incident. Zachary Geanotes, 19, of Villanova, is charged with riot, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct and other related offenses. Andrew Derr, 19, of Willow Grove, is charged with failure of disorderly persons to disperse, forgery, carrying a fake ID and other related offenses. Finally, Jeffrey Kiely, 20, of Downingtown, is charged with riot, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct. Geanotes and Derr were arraigned with bail pending. Kiely was released on $25,000 unsecured bail. Police say they expect to make more arrests and continue to investigate.
Investigators say no one was injured and the only damage reported was to the side of the car overturned and another car behind it in the 400 block of South Walnut Street, according to the Delaware County Times.
Police said the street was cleared by about an hour later.
Witnesses at the party told the Delaware County Times that not all the people at the party were students at West Chester University because outsiders had also heard about the event.
“Young adults are cooperating with police, who are equally disgusted with this as well,” said West Chester Police Chief Scott Bohn.
There were reports that partygoers paid between $15 to get into the event. The Chief noted that charging for beer at a party without a liquor license is illegal. The Chief says he warned the party organizer to cancel the party. He also referred to the mass disturbance as "a riot."
Video of the incident was captured on a cellphone and posted on Facebook. Police continue to investigate the incident.
Investigators ask anyone with additional information to call the West Chester Police Department detective unit at 610-696-2700.
