Men arrested in bear spray attacks

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BOULDER, Colo., July 6 (UPI) -- Police in Colorado said they arrested two men accused of spraying several fraternity members and a woman with bear repellant.

Boulder police said officers driving past the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity house on 17th Street noticed the lawn of the home was in "complete chaos," with many of the 10 to 15 people on the front lawn in noticeable pain, the Boulder Daily Camera reported Friday.

The fraternity members told officers two men on a scooter had sprayed them with something that caused them pain.

Police said they saw the scooter crash nearby and arrested Stephen Armbruster and Robert McManus, both 21. Officers said the men were in possession of bear repellant spray, which they also allegedly sprayed inside the home of a woman on 17th street.

McManus, who told officers he thought the woman's house was empty, said the sprayings were retribution for the theft of one of the special red, white and blue letters he put in front of the Sig Ep fraternity July 3. He said the letter was later discovered on 17th street.

Police said McManus is facing three counts of second-degree assault and one count of burglary. He was jailed in lieu of $1,500 bond.

Armbruster was arrested on charges of driving under the influence and accessory to a felony. He was held at the Boulder County Jail on $1,000 bond.