Ex-NHL players arrested in Jack in the Box fight
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Two former professional hockey players were arrested after a scuffle at a Laguna Beach Jack In the Box, police said Thursday.
Jean Francois Jomphe, 39, a former Anaheim Duck and an Aliso Viejo resident, was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor battery and vandalism, and Richard Anthony Costello, 49, a former Toronto Maple Leaf and Dana Point resident, was arrested on suspicion of assault, Laguna Beach Police Department Lt. Jason Kravetz said.
The men were arrested about 1 a.m. Dec. 21. They were booked and released a few hours later on their own recognizance and will appear in court at a later date, he said.
Late-night altercations at fast-food restaurants aren’t exactly rare, Laguna Beach Police Capt. Jason Kravetz said.
‘It’s not uncommon in the early morning hours after the bars have closed that we have people going to get food who get in fights when alcohol is involved,’ Kravetz said.
The incident reportedly occurred when a cab in which Jomphe and Costello were riding pulled into the Jack In the Box drive-through line, cutting off a VW Jetta carrying a group of young adults.
‘One of the kids [in the Jetta] did a hand gesture like, ‘Hey, what’s up’ and Jomphe got angry, got out of the cab and went to the guy,’ Kravetz said. ‘Costello went to restrain him, but he’s pretty upset and shatters the back window.’
Glass shards reportedly cut the face of a 20-year-old man in the back seat. The altercation escalated when a 44-year-old man tried to get Jomphe and Costello back into the cab because they’re ‘just kids’ in the Jetta.
Costello allegedly threw a punch at the good Samaritan but missed when the man ducked. Costello then tried to kick him.
Jomphe played four seasons in the National Hockey League, three of them in Anaheim. The center had 39 points (10 goals, 29 assists) in his NHL career with his finest season in 1996-1997 when he posted career-highs in points (21), goals (seven) and assists (14).
Costello was drafted 37th overall in 1981 by the Philadelphia Flyers and logged 12 games in the NHL from 1984 to 1986 with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The center had two goals and two assists in that span.
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-- Andrew Shortall, Times Community News