Tampa, FL (Sports Network) - Montreal Canadiens defenseman Ryan O'Byrne and forward Tom Kostopoulos were arrested outside a Tampa nightclub early Monday morning, according to the Tampa Tribune.
The newspaper reported that both players were arrested at about 3 a.m. (et) outside a bar. Police said O'Byrne swiped a woman's purse and Kostopoulos resisted an officer.
O'Byrne told police the purse was his girlfriend's, but authorities said it belonged to another woman. When an officer "asked what her name was, (O'Byrne) could not give a name," the police report stated.
"Several associates, who were identified as National Hockey League players/members, crowded around the officers and police car," the report said. "They were told numerous times to get away from the police car and not to interfere."
O'Byrne was charged with grand theft, and Kostopoulos was charged with resisting an officer without violence. Both players were released on bail.
