Southeast : 100 Riot in Restaurant, Cause $1,000 in Damage, Police Say

A melee erupted at a Denny’s restaurant in Long Beach when about 100 young men threw chairs, harassed employees and stole $100 at about 2 a.m. Monday, police said.

The men had driven away by the time police arrived at the restaurant in the 5500 block of East Pacific Coast Highway. No injuries were reported.

Employees hid in the back of the restaurant when the men, all of whom arrived about the same time, began shouting and hurling glasses, police said. The restaurant was nearly empty when the men entered.

“It seemed like a mini-riot inside,” Officer Maria Mendez said. She said no threats to the employees were reported.

A manager estimated damage at more than $1,000, including dozens of broken glasses and a shattered window. He said the men stole about $100 from the register.