Van Nuys Movie Theater Altercation Prompts LAPD Search for Two Suspects
Los Angeles Police Department officers are searching for a man and a woman involved in a violent altercation with employees at a Regency Theatres location in Van Nuys, nbclosangeles.com reported. The incident occurred just after 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the theater on Van Nuys Boulevard, following a dispute over outside drinks brought into the building.
Theater Policy Dispute Sparks Physical Confrontation
The confrontation began when theater employee Ruby Arcos Delacruz refused a woman entry for carrying outside drinks in her bag. “All I did was just enforce policy like the company wanted and in return I get a beating,” Delacruz said, according to nbclosangeles.com. When a manager attempted to intervene, the dispute escalated into a physical attack involving both suspects.
Fellow employee Josh Bedolla described the ensuing struggle on the theater floor. “I was telling them to leave, they need to get out, like they can’t be in here anymore,” Bedolla said, as reported by nbclosangeles.com. “And then, literally, she started hitting me in the face twice, knocked my glasses off. He started grabbing me, and then she took the opportunity to walk around him, stomp on my glasses, and then go back for my co-worker, and then it just became a tussle from there, unfortunately.”
LAPD Seeks Suspects Facing Felony Battery Charges
Surveillance footage from the cinema captured the physical struggle, though the recording contains no audio. Investigators noted that the video does not capture the events that preceded the initial confrontation at the entrance. The Los Angeles Police Department stated that both suspects left the scene before officers arrived.
No arrests were made by 9 p.m. Wednesday. Investigators confirmed that both individuals are facing potential felony battery charges in connection with the incident at the Van Nuys theater.
Theater Management Responds to Employee Safety Concerns
Regency Theatres addressed the incident through an official company statement provided to news media. “We are obviously very troubled by the unfortunate incident that took place last night at the Van Nuys Plant 16, as the safety of our team and guests is of utmost importance,” said Lyndon Golin, president of Regency Theatres.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Regency Theatres Incident
What led to the physical altercation at the Van Nuys theater?
The dispute started when an employee denied a female customer entry because she had outside drinks inside her bag, violating theater policy.
Were any arrests made immediately following the incident?
No, the two suspects left the Regency Theatres location before police officers arrived, and no suspects were in custody as of Wednesday night.
What specific charges do the suspects face?
The Los Angeles Police Department stated that both individuals involved are facing potential felony battery charges.