5 Men Charged in Water Attacks on Pedal Pubs in Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Five people have been charged in series of water gun and water balloon attacks on Pedal Pubs in Minneapolis.

Six people were arrested in Saturday's incidents after it turned out that the passengers on one of the three Pedal Pubs included six off-duty Burnsville police officers who subdued the subjects and held them until Minneapolis police arrived.

Misdemeanor charges were filed against five men Tuesday, including fifth-degree assault and disorderly conduct.

One defendant, Francis Wayne Bellanger, told reporters the water attacks on the people-powered, 16-seat vehicles were meant as a harmless prank. But he says the off-duty officers reacted with excessive force.

A sixth person who was booked on suspicion of terroristic threats, a felony, had not been charged by Tuesday. All were freed on bail Saturday.