7 February 2007: Star Wars

Chewbacca, the Wookiee from Star Wars, has been arrested in Hollywood, with Superman as a witnesses.

Well, not quite – but a man impersonating the character was arrested after being accused of attacking a tour guide, who had warned the furry brown Wookiee about harassing two Japanese tourists. With the words "Nobody tells this Wookiee what to do," the man then slammed his head into the tour guide's forehead. Other movie and cartoon character impersonators were reported to be witnesses to the aggression, amid concern that such behaviour could endanger their livelihoods. People dressed as well-known characters often collect money from tourists in the Hollywood area.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department a 6-foot, 5-inch tall man (actually quite short for a Wookiee) was charged with misdemeanour battery and later released on $20,000 bail.

This is not the first incident of its kind. Apparently Mr. Incredible, Elmo the Muppet and the dark-hooded character from the movie "Scream" had been arrested earlier for "aggressive begging".