NEWS
Two charged in Halloween riot
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Also by Matt Scherling:
- Luther's concert to benefit Camp Heartland (April 23, 2003)
- Cieslewicz did more with less (April 3, 2003)
- Trio of armed robberies reported in campus area Saturday night (February 17, 2003)
- 21-year-old raped on Dayton Street Saturday night (February 4, 2003)
- Sober driver may get charged in seat-belt violation (December 11, 2002)
Related Stories:
- Halloween ends in violent riot (November 4, 2002)
- Sorry students submit apology to State Street shops (December 3, 2002)
- For Peace Park, a second chance (January 27, 2003)
- Hardly a quiet riot (December 12, 2002)
- 21-year-old raped on Dayton Street Saturday night (February 4, 2003)
by Matt Scherling
Thursday, November 7, 2002
Charges were filed yesterday against two men Madison police suspect participated in Saturday night’s State Street riot.
Frederick D. Fischer, 22, of Madison, was charged with burglary and bail jumping for allegedly looting Princess of India Imports, 444 State St. Fischer is not listed in the UW student directory.
Abdul Lababidi, owner of Princess India Imports, said he was woken up at six in the morning by a telephone call from police informing him his business had been robbed. Labaibdi said a dress and a box of jewelry were removed from his store.
“They took stones [from Lisa Link Peace Park] and used them to break the windows,” Lababidi said. “And not just my window, but the whole block, including the bus shelter.”
Jason C. Hackney, of Johnson Creek, was charged Tuesday with substantial battery and resisting arrest after allegedly assaulting a man on State Street.
Pointed out to police officers by the victim, Hackney removed his shirt and flexed his muscles, then offered resistance to officers trying to place him under arrest.
Saturday night, with an estimated crowd of 65,000 packing State Street, numerous bottles thrown by partiers in the direction of police officers sparked a violent confrontation between rioters and police officers.
Police arrested at least 16 on charges including looting, disorderly conduct and battery, according to Madison police lieutenant Cameron McLay, who described Saturday night’s events as “a gradual escalation of isolated incidences of violence and destructive behavior.”

