Party on Manhattan bridge leads to three arrests

NEW YORK, Aug. 12 (UPI) -- Authorities in New York said an impromptu dance party with about 600 revelers on the Manhattan Bridge led to the arrest of an organizer and two DJs.

Police said they arrested Alexander Shlaferman, 19, organizer of the Xandernation party, which was organized via social media, around 12:30 a.m. Sunday, the New York Post reported Monday.

Investigators also arrested DJs Brendon Risano, 23, and Giacomo Nacci, 20.

The party, which police said did not have a permit, featured electronic music on a full sound system beginning at 9 p.m.

Shlaferman, who runs the multimillion-dollar Vante Toys company, said police gave him and the DJs water and allowed them to keep their equipment.

"We love all the guys there," he said of the police station. "We showed respect to the police, and they showed respect back to us."

Shlaferman said he was proud of his party.

"What more could you want? Everybody else is stuck in a little box they call a New York City club," he said. "We had people out in the open air for free, having the time of their life."