CONEY ISLAND, Brooklyn (PIX11) — Joey Chestnut grabbed a protester during the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest in Brooklyn on Monday.
The Darth Vader mask-wearing protester held a sign that read “Expose Smithfield’s Deathstar.” Another protester wore a stormtrooper mask from the “Star Wars” series. Smithfield is the manufacturer of Nathan’s hotdogs.
Police said three people were taken into custody. They were identified as: Robert Yamada, 42, of Arizona; Joshua Marxen, 31, of California; and Scott Gilbertson, 21, of California.
The men were charged with criminal trespass and disorderly conduct. Gilbertson faces an additional charge of harassment.
Chestnut didn’t let the incident deter him. He won the hot dog eating contest — again — downing 63 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. Chestnut also managed to take home the title while wearing a surgical boot because of a leg injury.