Paparazzi arrested while taking pictures during 'Bachelor' taping [Updated]

Security guards at a luxury hotel in Rancho Palos Verdes made a citizen's arrest of two paparazzi who were trying to snap pictures during a weekend taping of ABC's "The Bachelor," authorities said Monday.

The photographers were booked by L.A. County sheriff's deputies on suspicion of misdemeanor battery and unlawful blocking of a sidewalk, said department spokesman Steve Whitmore.

The men were identified as Maximiliano Lopez, 28, of Torrance, and Eric Brogmus, 22, of Burbank.  They were cited and released Saturday but must appear in court March 28, Whitmore said. [Updated 11:17 a.m.: Sheriff's officials earlier said Brogmus was from New York City.]

The incident took place about 2:45 p.m. Saturday at Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes.  The photographers were part of a large contingent of paparazzi attempting to get pictures and video of "Bachelor" participants as they were arriving for the wedding of "Bachelor" couple Jason Mesnick and Molly Malaney.

Video posted to the X17online website shows a security guard choking one of the photographers and taking him to the ground on a path leading to the ocean as other paparazzi shout at the men to stop.

Whitmore said security guards insisted the photographers be booked on a citizen's arrest. He added that deputies interviewed witnesses who confirmed the security guard's version of events but said the investigation into the fracas would continue.

"We will certainly be looking into this," Whitmore said.

-- Andrew Blankstein

Photo: Jason Mesnick surrounded by "The Bachelor" contestants. Credit: ABC

[For the record: An earlier version of this post incorrectly referred to Terranea Resort as Tillanea.]

Comments

[ARL]

Does anybody really care about that show?

[Tirau]

I sure *don't*

[jose mendez]

ZZZZZzzzzzzz. Seriously...reporting is hitting low.

[BtO]

Hope they were with TMZzzzz

[dingdongdugong]

Looks to me like some photographers were assaulted by violent men in suits.

[Lobster]

Funny, the only way a private security guard in California (Kalifornia) may make a citizens arrest is if they believe the person is, has, or will commit a FELONY. Simple trespass is not a felony. What these couple of security guards did do however is commit a couple felonies themselves. I hope they are arrested and prosecuted as well as sued.

[Psychikos]

It is an evasion of privacy, they need to outlaw these guys.

[Derek Hayes]

Yes, "security guards at Terranea Resort" attacked the photographers. BUT, they were NOT Terranea Resort's security and have nothing to do with the resort. The "security guards" were cast by Next Entertainment (one of the production companies involved with the taping) and staged the attack to bring drama to an otherwise mundane production. Because Next Entertainment contracted with the "guards", the network, ABC, can deny hiring them. Terranea Resort has no jurisdiction and no responsibility for the public pathways (other than being forced by the Coastal Commission to pay for maintaining them).

[Joe]

Write a big check!