Man Caught on Camera Spitting at Female Protester in South Pasadena Arrested on Suspicion of Battery

Warning: The above video contains profanity.  The video is reproduced courtesy of the SouthPasadenan.com

A man seen on video spitting at a protester in South Pasadena last week was arrested two days later after the woman who was spat on recognized him in the same neighborhood and followed him, before bystanders subdued him and held him for police, officials said.

Joe Richcreek, 56, of Los Angeles was booked on suspicion of battery Friday night and released with a court date, South Pasadena police officials said Monday.

He became involved in an argument with a woman, described by police as a Black Lives Matter demonstrator, when he was recorded on video spitting at the woman at Fair Oaks Avenue and Mission Street, according to police and the footage, which has been posted online.

The man left on a bicycle and was not immediately found, police said.

But the woman saw and recognized the same man about 8:30 p.m. Friday in the same area and followed him to the intersection of Fremont Avenue and Lyndon Street, police said in a written statement.

“At this point, the suspect threw a rock, striking the victim in the leg,” the statement said. “The victim and several witnesses were able to corner the suspect, preventing him from leaving until officers arrived.”

The case will presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for consideration of charged, police said.