Ryan Garcia arrested on felony vandalism charge at Beverly Hills hotel
Boxer Ryan Garcia was arrested on a felony vandalism charge in Beverly Hills on Saturday after a hotel accused Garcia of property damage, the Beverly Hills Police Department said Sunday.
Police responded to an “intoxicated person” call for service at the Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills around 5:15 p.m., according to BHPD Lt. Andrew Myers.
“During the investigation, the intoxicated person was identified as Ryan Garcia,” Myers said in a statement. “Upon obtaining statements from the hotel management, it was determined that Mr. Garcia was a registered guest of the hotel and had caused damage to a guest room and the hallway of the hotel.”
After the arrest, the Beverly Hills Fire Department transported Garcia to a local hospital for medical care, according to police.
Garcia’s attorney, Darin Chavez, told ESPN that the 25-year-old boxer might also be charged with public intoxication.
Chavez said in a statement to ESPN the arrest came at “an extraordinarily challenging time for Ryan, as he has been grappling with devastating news regarding his mother’s health.”
“Ryan has been open about his struggles with mental health over the years, and at this time he is dealing with an immense emotional burden,” Chavez said in the statement to ESPN. “The support and understanding from fans and the public are crucial as he navigates these personal challenges.
Garcia shocked the boxing world in April by defeating WBC super lightweight champ Devin Haney via majority decision, but his stunning victory was later marred by the news that he tested positive for performance-enhancing substance ostarine the day before the bout, according to a letter from the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association obtained by ESPN. News of the positive test was first shared by journalist Dan Rafael, who also reported that Garcia’s pre-fight sample screened positive for 19-norandrosterone.
In the months leading up to the fight against Haney, Garcia has claimed he was kidnapped by the Illuminati, accused Logan Paul of worshipping Satan, tossed out accusations about Haney’s father, said he was under spiritual attack, said he has proof of alien existence and called Elon Musk the Antichrist, among several other concerning claims and allegations online and in podcast appearances.
Garcia also announced the birth of his second child and his divorce from his wife on the same day in January. In March, Garcia accused Haney of using banned substances, said he was going to bite Haney’s ears off, then later tweeted, “My intention is to Kill Devil Haney.”
(Photo: Sam Hodde / Getty Images)
