Florida woman arrested for inciting 500-person riot over daughter’s canceled birthday party

A Florida woman was arrested Thursday for inciting a 500-person riot at an ice skating rink in May. Stephanie Pedroso, 36, told her daughter’s friend to “fuck that bitch” after the child’s birthday party was canceled at Astro Skate in Brandon. The rink canceled the “after-hours birthday party” because of breach of contract, authorities said.

Florida mother incites riot with 500 people on ice rink

Pedroso had booked the rink on May 14 for her daughter’s May 17 birthday party, but her reservation was canceled after she was unable to find off-duty officers for the party, as required by the contract, according to a news release from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

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Although the rink refunded Pedroso’s money, she urged her daughter’s friends to come to the event anyway in a profanity-laced social media post. She even offered them money to tear down the rink. “If you guys go up there anyway, tear it the fuck down. I have some money for you guys and I’ll pay your ass,” she said in the video.

Authorities responded to reports of a 500-strong mob storming the rink around 9:20 p.m. on May 18. Police said that despite orders to vacate the area, the crowd continued to fight and damage nearby businesses. One person at a hair salon near the rink had to be taken to a hospital after being beaten and thrown through a glass window.

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After a six-hour effort, authorities managed to control the mob and arrest 23 minors and three adults. Meanwhile, Pedroso was arrested and charged with “each count of inciting a riot, unauthorized use of a two-way communication device and driving with a suspended, canceled or revoked license,” according to the NY Post. She was later released from custody after posting $2,500 bail, jail records show.