An 18-year-old named Caden Lopez was arrested for his involvement in a series of incidents at WNBA games where fans launched brightly colored adult toys onto the court. The arrest occurred at the PHX Arena during a matchup between the Phoenix Mercury and the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday, where he allegedly threw a “green dildo” and assaulted a 9-year-old.
Phoenix police took Lopez into custody and he appeared in court on Wednesday, facing charges of disorderly conduct, assault, and public display of explicit sexual material. According to a department spokesperson, he was arrested around 8:03 p.m. local time and was cooperative with officers.
“Ultimately, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office will decide on any potential prosecution,” the spokesperson added.
Court documents indicated that after the incident, a male victim stated that he and his niece were watching the game when he was struck by the toy and expressed a desire to pursue charges. The incident was captured on video, which possibly helped witness statements, as they chased Lopez down until authorities arrived.
The video reportedly depicted Lopez sitting in his seat, retrieving the green dildo from his sweater pocket and throwing it forward before leaving the area. He had bought the toys just a day before the game.
Lopez later expressed regret for his actions, labeling it a “stupid prank that’s popular on social media.” The WNBA and the PHX Arena are hoping he faces charges for disorderly conduct.
This isn’t an isolated incident. Recently, similar occurrences have taken place at other games, with fans throwing objects onto the court, including during a match in Atlanta and two others in Chicago and Los Angeles. The latter game drew attention when players like Sophie Cunningham and Kelsey Plum quickly removed the items from the floor.
The WNBA issued a statement reiterating their commitment to the safety and enjoyment of all attendees. They stressed that throwing objects can endanger players and fans, warning that anyone doing so risks immediate removal from the arena and potential legal consequences.
Earlier this week, another individual, Delbert Carver, was arrested in connection to an incident on July 29 in Georgia, facing similar charges of disorderly conduct and other offenses.
