Son of Villanova announcer arrested for ‘helping flip car’

John Rigsby (pictured), 20, was arrested and charged with vandalism for allegedly helping to flip over a car after the Eagles’ victory

Philadelphia police have arrested the son of Villanova University’s basketball announcer after he allegedly helped flip over a car following the Eagles’ Super Bowl victory. 

John Rigsby, 20, was charged with vandalism, rioting, conspiracy, criminal mischief and recklessly endangering another person. 

Rigsby is the son of Villanova’s basketball announcer Whitey Rigsby, according to PhillyVoice.com.

He is a former standout guard on the Archbishop Carroll basketball team and he’s currently enrolled at Villanova University, according to his Twitter. Rigsby also played basketball for Holy Family University in Philadelphia. 

Rigsby was released on $2,500 bail. 

Authorities said the 2017 Nissan Rogue was flipped by a group of seven people around 11pm Sunday. 

Video of the incident shows the group of men working together to push the SUV onto the driver’s side, causing dents and scratches.

Meanwhile, a large group of fans crowd around the group and egg them on.  

 

Rigsby was charged with vandalism

He is the son of Villanova basketball announcer Whitey Rigsby (pictured)

Rigsby (left), who was charged with vandalism in connection to the incident that occurred in the Center City Sunday night, is the son of Villanova basketball announcer Whitey Rigsby (right) 

Rigsby is a former standout guard on the Archbishop Carroll basketball team and he's currently enrolled at Villanova University, according to his Twitter. Rigsby (bottom row, fourth from left) also played basketball for Holy Family University in Philadelphia

Rigsby is a former standout guard on the Archbishop Carroll basketball team and he’s currently enrolled at Villanova University, according to his Twitter. Rigsby (bottom row, fourth from left) also played basketball for Holy Family University in Philadelphia

Authorities said the 2017 Nissan Rogue was flipped by a group of seven people, including Rigsby (pictured with his father), around 11pm Sunday

Authorities said the 2017 Nissan Rogue was flipped by a group of seven people, including Rigsby (pictured with his father), around 11pm Sunday

When the vehicle is finally turned over, the whole crowd loudly cheers them on.  

The owner of the car has received more than $1,200 in donations through a GoFundMe account created to help her cover repair costs. 

Authorities have not announced charges against anyone else at this time, but they are looking for multiple suspects who took to the streets starting fires and taking down poles after the Eagles’ 41-33 victory over the New England Patriots.

Philadelphia police recently released a video that shows dozens of fans looting and trashing a Sunoco gas station. 

Dozens of people swarmed the small gas station located at 802 South Broad Street Sunday night.  

Video of the incident shows the group of men working together to push the SUV onto the driver's side, causing dents and scratches. It's  unclear which suspect is Rigsby in this video 

Video of the incident shows the group of men working together to push the SUV onto the driver’s side, causing dents and scratches. It’s  unclear which suspect is Rigsby in this video 

Meanwhile, a large group of fans crowd around the group and egg them on as the car tips over

Meanwhile, a large group of fans crowd around the group and egg them on as the car tips over

When the vehicle is finally turned over, the whole crowd loudly cheers them on 

When the vehicle is finally turned over, the whole crowd loudly cheers them on 

The owner of the car (pictured) has received more than $1,200 in donations through a GoFundMe account created to help her cover repair costs

The owner of the car (pictured) has received more than $1,200 in donations through a GoFundMe account created to help her cover repair costs

As one man recorded the incident on his cellphone, a woman is seen throwing the first bag of snacks that officially started the fight.

Several other Philadelphia fans picked up candy bars, chips and other snacks and began throwing them across the store. 

A few people rushed out as many more rushed in to join in on the action. 

Shortly after the food fight stopped, a few folks were seen picking up handfuls of snacks and carrying them out of the store without paying. 

At one point, two people even had a tray of snacks that they walked out of the gas station with. 

Philadelphia police released the gas station’s surveillance footage with hopes of catching numerous suspects from the video. 

A massive food fight broke out in the middle of a Philadelphia gas station Sunday night shortly after the Eagles' victory. A woman is seen throwing the first bag of snacks that officially started the food fight

A massive food fight broke out in the middle of a Philadelphia gas station Sunday night shortly after the Eagles’ victory. A woman is seen throwing the first bag of snacks that officially started the food fight

As one man recorded the incident on his cellphone, several other Philadelphia fans picked up candy bars, chips and other snacks and began throwing them across the store

As one man recorded the incident on his cellphone, several other Philadelphia fans picked up candy bars, chips and other snacks and began throwing them across the store

At one point, two people even had a tray of snacks that they walked out of the gas station with

At one point, two people even had a tray of snacks that they walked out of the gas station with

The incident took place at this Sunoco gas station at 802 South Broad Street

The incident took place at this Sunoco gas station at 802 South Broad Street

According to authorities, much of the store’s products were destroyed and there was also some damage. 

Police said the incident occurred around 12.30am on February 5.

‘While inside [the gas station] the suspects began taking items from the shelves then began throwing food items and soft drinks on the floor and walls causing a hole in the back wall of the business,’ a police statement read. 

Authorities are now asking the public for any tips in the case. Police are also looking for two men who allegedly smashed a window of the A.C. Moore store in the Center City.   

Eagles fans trashed the city as they celebrated the big win and on Monday Philadelphians heading into work took to social media, sharing hundreds of pictures of the aftermath. 

Philadelphia looked like a war zone on Monday morning, after Eagles fans trashed the city celebrating their first ever Super Bowl victory

City crews have just one more day to clean the city ahead of the Super Bowl parade on Thursday

Philadelphia looked like a war zone on Monday morning, after Eagles fans trashed the city celebrating their first ever Super Bowl victory 

Workers are seen above cleaning up shattered glass outside of a store that was damaged in the rioting 

Workers are seen above cleaning up shattered glass outside of a store that was damaged in the rioting 

Another look at some of the shattered glass at the Macy's in downtown Philadelphia 

Another look at some of the shattered glass at the Macy’s in downtown Philadelphia 

Yet another shop window shattered in downtown Philadelphia Sunday night 

Yet another shop window shattered in downtown Philadelphia Sunday night 

From a collapsed awning outside the Ritz-Carlton hotel, which smashed under the weight of nearly a dozen people, to the countless traffic lights ripped to the ground, the damage showed what a mess ‘Birds’ fans can make.  

While many of the overzealous fans were sleeping off hangovers, the city’s workers got down to business cleaning up after their mess – boarding up shattered shop windows and sweeping up glass.   

Cops who would usually be patrolling the streets were mitigated to directing traffic as municipal workers righted and repaired traffic lights. 

Workers now have just one more day to clean the city up before it hosts its Super Bowl celebration parade on Thursday.  

Eagles fans mounted traffic poles in the celebrations, bringing many to the ground 

Eagles fans mounted traffic poles in the celebrations, bringing many to the ground 

Cops had to direct traffic through a large part of the city on Monday due to the downed traffic poles

Another downed traffic light

Cops had to direct traffic through a large part of the city on Monday due to the downed traffic poles

Eagles fans also toppled newspaper boxes according to this picture 

Eagles fans also toppled newspaper boxes according to this picture 

The Eagles returned victorious on Monday as well, bringing the Vince Lombardi back to their hometown for the first time.

On Monday, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney released a statement, saying ‘only three’ people were arrested in the celebrations. 

‘Tens of thousands came out and celebrated this amazing victory last night, and but for a handful of bad actors the celebration was peaceful and jubilant. 

‘There were only three arrests. We’re thankful for our PPD for their assistance in getting the crowds dispersed and people home safely,’ the statement read. 

That’s a sea change to the last time one of the city’s teams won a national championship. 

When the Phillies won the World series in 2008, the street celebrations devolved into looting and vandalism and nearly 80 people were arrested.   

Above, another look at a downed traffic pole in downtown Philadelphia on Monday

This photo shows a downed traffic light

Above, another look at some of the downed traffic poles in downtown Philadelphia on Monday 

Downed light poles were seen across the city

This photo was shared on social media following the Eagles' Super Bowl victory

Downed light poles were seen across the city and these photos were shared on social media following the Eagles’ Super Bowl victory 

This photo shows crews repairing buildings that were damaged during the celebrations

Crews working to repair the city's traffic lights

Photos showed crews working to repair the city’s traffic lights and buildings that were damaged during the celebrations  

The Philadelphia Police Department released a statement saying that there had been multiple injuries during the celebrations but no fatalities. 

‘We have had several acts of vandalism where windows have been smashed, and some injuries have been reported around light poles that have been pulled down,’ the statement read. ‘We have one report of looting at a gas station. There have been no fatalities.’

It’s estimated that thousands of people took to the streets to celebrate the win, but the revelry quickly turned violent and hordes of police officers were called in to control the crowds. 

Passionate supporters lit fires, flipped at least one car, smashed shop windows and clambered up traffic poles after their team defeated the New England Patriots 41-33 in Minneapolis. 

At one point a hotel awning at the city’s Ritz-Carlton collapsed under the weight of fans while the windows at the Macy’s near City Hall and a T-Mobile were smashed as celebrations got out of hand. 

Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie holds up the Vince Lombardi Trophy for fans gathered to welcome them in Philadelphia a day after defeating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 52 in Minneapolis, Monday

Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie holds up the Vince Lombardi Trophy for fans gathered to welcome them in Philadelphia a day after defeating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 52 in Minneapolis, Monday

Lurie was followed off the chartered American Airlines plane by members of his team  

Lurie was followed off the chartered American Airlines plane by members of his team  

Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles speaks at a press conference before leaving Minnesota on Monday 

Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles speaks at a press conference before leaving Minnesota on Monday 

Police officers stand guard next to a traffic light while celebrating the Philadelphia Eagles' victory in Super Bowl LII game against the New England Patriots

Police officers stand guard next to a traffic light while celebrating the Philadelphia Eagles’ victory in Super Bowl LII game against the New England Patriots

Fans celebrate in Center City after the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the New England Patriots to win the Super Bowl on February 5, 2018

Fans celebrate in Center City after the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the New England Patriots to win the Super Bowl on February 5, 2018

Fans sit down by a broken traffic light after a night of wild celebrations through the streets of Philadelphia in the wake of Eagles' sensational victory

Fans sit down by a broken traffic light after a night of wild celebrations through the streets of Philadelphia in the wake of Eagles’ sensational victory

Police, some on horseback, had earlier been called in as huge crowds descended on the streets. 

Local television station CBS3 reported that two poles in Center City had been toppled, leaving one person seriously injured.

Police had greased lamp posts and traffic light poles across the city with slippery hydraulic fluid earlier in the day in a bid to discourage climbers. 

Before the games, officers who declined to give their names, told the Philadelphia Inquirer that about 100 poles up and down Broad Street were greased to deter revelers from climbing them.  

They dubbed themselves the ‘Pole Patrol’ rather than the earlier ‘Crisco Cops’ that applied shortening that failed to stop some fans after the NFC championship victory. 

A group of Eagles fans climbed on top of the awning at the Ritz-Carlton hotel, causing it to cave

The awning then caved under their weight

A group of Eagles fans climbed on top of the awning at the Ritz-Carlton hotel, causing it to cave 

Fans pass a destroyed hotel canopy in Center City after the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the New England Patriots to win the Super Bowl

Fans pass a destroyed hotel canopy in Center City after the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the New England Patriots to win the Super Bowl

A fan celebrates in Center City by climbing a light pole on Broad Street despite them having been greased earlier to prevent such antics

A fan celebrates in Center City by climbing a light pole on Broad Street despite them having been greased earlier to prevent such antics

Passionate supporters lit fires (pictured), clambered on top of trucks and up traffic poles after their team defeated the New England Patriots 41-33 in dramatic fashion at US Bank Field in Minneapolis

Passionate supporters lit fires (pictured), clambered on top of trucks and up traffic poles after their team defeated the New England Patriots 41-33 in dramatic fashion at US Bank Field in Minneapolis

Passionate supporters lit fires (pictured), clambered on top of trucks and up traffic poles after their team defeated the New England Patriots 41-33 in dramatic fashion at US Bank Field in Minneapolis

But it looks like their greasing failed yet again, since numerous poles were brought down anyway – some by fans with armed with rope. 

‘F**k that grease,’ some of the fans reportedly chanted as the daredevils climbed. 

Many fans were seen chugging beers as they got to the top. 

Climbers were also seen scaling the City Hall gates – while police moved in after a group vandalized a gas station.  

In South Philadelphia, fans started chanting ‘Free Bud Light,’ after the beer manufacturer made a bet with Lane Johnson that if the Eagles won the Super Bowl, they’d give free beer to the city, according to CBS Philly.

The streets of the city were also filled with Eagles fans chanting ‘F**k Tom Brady’ in reference to the Patriots quarterback and ‘Big d**k Nick’ in honor of Philly quarterback Nick Foles. 

Philadephia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles (pictured) celebrates after winning Super Bowl LII and being named Super Bowl MVP

Philadephia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles (pictured) celebrates after winning Super Bowl LII and being named Super Bowl MVP

'F**k that grease,' the fans reportedly chanted as the daredevils climbed the light poles in downtown Philadelphia

‘F**k that grease,’ the fans reportedly chanted as the daredevils climbed the light poles in downtown Philadelphia

Philadelphia Eagles fans climb a gate outside City Hall as fans celebrate the team's victory in the NFL Super Bowl on Sunday

Philadelphia Eagles fans climb a gate outside City Hall as fans celebrate the team’s victory in the NFL Super Bowl on Sunday

A fans reacts to Super Bowl LII by climbing a trash truck on Walnut Street near City Hall on February 4, 2018 in downtown Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A fans reacts to Super Bowl LII by climbing a trash truck on Walnut Street near City Hall on February 4, 2018 in downtown Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Destruction seemed to follow fans wherever they went. Fans also took to lighting up scraps of metal in the streets on fire.

However, more concerning than the small bonfires were the trust falls that sprung up around the city.

A video made the rounds on social media a man perched atop a Ritz-Carlton hotel awning falling into the crowd from a height, trusting he would be caught. 

What was heard on the Philadelphia police scanner after the Eagles’ Super Bowl win 

‘They just flipped a car over here. If you can get a rapid response team over here, I’d greatly appreciate it.’ 

‘Somebody lit a Christmas tree on fire on. The prison wagon is just on the corner. Have them grab the fire extinguisher.’ 

‘Several people climbing traffic lights on Vine.’

‘There are people climbing the gates at city hall.’

‘We have a couple hundred people up on this pole.’

‘We need a unit at Broad and Arch. A man jumped off a light pole and landed on his head.’

‘They breaking the light posts off! It’s going to fall onto the ground.’

‘We got a disorderly crowd throwing bottles and changing ‘Meek Mill”

‘I have a male in custody. He says he’s an off-duty cop.’

In another video, fans scaled the same awning of the Ritz-Carlton hotel only to have it collapse under them due to their combined weight.  

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf attended US Bank Field in Minneapolis to witness the Eagles’ historic victory.

‘What you give is what you get back. Congratulations on your historic win, @Eagles. We are all incredibly #PAproud. #SuperBowl #FlyEaglesFly,’ Wolf tweeted after the game. 

President Donald Trump took the opportunity to congratulate the Eagles on the win despite his friendship with Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and owner Robert Kraft.

‘Congratulations to the Philadelphia Eagles on a great Super Bowl victory!’ he wrote.

Mayor Kenney declared in a statement that it was a day the city has ‘dreamed of’. 

‘For so many who have called themselves Eagles fans for a generation, this is the day, the game, the season, and the team we’ve dreamed of,’ he said in part.

‘The 2017-18 Philadelphia Eagles are Super Bowl Champions, and they’ve brought tremendous joy to hundreds of thousands throughout the City and region. They consistently wowed us with their dynamic play and relentless pursuit of victory. 

‘Their ‘Next Man Up’ mentality when injuries arose was inspiring to anyone who has ever faced a setback, as was their willingness to embrace the role of underdogs. 

‘They looked another storied football franchise in the eyes, and never blinked.’ 



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