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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Students Raise Pre-Halloween Havoc

Compiled From Wire Services

Mobs of several hundred Southern Illinois University students broke store windows and threw rocks, bricks and bottles early Sunday in a repeat of traditional pre-Halloween revelry.

At least 33 people were arrested and three police officers injured in the three-hour fracas, Police Chief Don Strom said. The windows of about eight businesses were broken, but there were no reports of looting.

By Sunday night, streets were quiet as a steady rain fell.

“They’re either sleeping it off from last night or the weather’s too bad,” said one Carbondale police dispatcher who would not give his name.

The disturbance brought back memories of out-of-control Halloween street parties that have plagued the city in recent years.

About 2,000 people stampeded through the streets in 1994, overturning two cars and breaking several windows on the portion of U.S. 51 known as “The Strip.” Police that year made more than 100 arrests.