Police: Woman runs topless through Bernie Sanders rally at USF

TAMPA — A 23-year-old woman was arrested after she ran topless through the crowd at a Wednesday afternoon Democratic political rally led by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, according to University of South Florida police.

About 700 had gathered to hear the senator from Vermont appear alongside Democrat lieutenant governor nominee Chris King, attorney general nominee Sean Shaw and chief financial officer nominee.

Then Victoria Royal took her shirt off and ran through the crowd at the USF Campus Recreation Center at about 4:45 p.m., police said.

Royal ignored a police officer’s demands to put her shirt back on, the agency said. Photos from the event show she was eventually restrained on the ground and led away by three officers.

Photos reveal she had writing all over her torso and arms, though it was unclear what messages she was trying to convey. Police said they did not know what motivated Royal. She was the only person at the rally to undress.

Royal was arrested on misdemeanor charges of exposure of sexual organs and resisting an officer without violence. She was taken to the Hillsborough County jail but her bail information was not available late Wednesday.