30 arrested in Fourth of July disturbances at Lake Tahoe

Douglas County sheriff's Sgt. Lance Modispacher said most of the arrests were for disorderly conduct, resisting officers, battery and underage drinking. Some suspects were under 18 years of age.

About 10 people were arrested in connection with a fight at Nevada Beach near here that left two officers injured.

Modispacher said beaches were crowded with Douglas and Carson high school students who resumed a tradition by drinking alcohol and fighting each other.

"Large groups with hundreds in each group merged together and some began fighting in the middle," he said. "It was like being in the gladiator arena of the Romans."

Some participants suffered facial injuries, but officers were unable to assist them because of bottle-throwing sprees by the crowd, he said.

After beaches cleared at night, young Fourth of July celebrants moved to the Stateline casino area, where they yelled profanities, fought, and disrupted patrons and motorists, Modispacher said.

Sheriff's officers planned to meet Monday to discuss ways to better control the Fourth of July gatherings next year.

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