Police Break Up Rowdy Raider Fans in Oakland

Scores of Oakland Raider fans went on an ugly rampage Sunday night after their team’s loss in the Super Bowl, setting cars on fire and throwing rocks and bottles at passing vehicles.

About 500 police officers in riot gear responded by using tear gas in running skirmishes with crowds in downtown, East Oakland and other areas.

By 11 p.m., officers said the violence had subsided significantly. Thirty-two people were arrested, mostly for public intoxication. One person was stabbed, though police didn’t know if it was related to the unrest.

Police said the trouble started shortly after the game ended about 7:30 p.m. Fans began spilling out of neighborhood bars and throwing bottles through storefront windows. At least seven cars and a McDonald’s restaurant were set on fire.

Crowds broke the windows of a television news van. One group of young men set debris on fire in the middle of a street and then posed for news photographers.

Hundreds of extra officers were on the streets as the city attempted to avoid the same type of violence that marred last week’s Raider victory that advanced the team to the Super Bowl. After that game, crowds set fires, broke windows, and threw rocks and bottles.

On Sunday, the Oakland Police Department was assisted by officers from the California Highway Patrol and Alameda County Sheriff’s Department.

Police, facing off with the rowdy crowds, approached them in closed-rank formations. Some officers carried guns with rubber bullets, though it was not clear if any rounds were fired.

Authorities also sealed off some streets in parts of the city. Some shop owners in the area of last week’s violence closed their doors during the game, hoping to avoid destruction of property.