Three UCLA rugby players were arrested early Thursday morning in Santa Monica after police say they went on a drunken, destruction rampage ... knocking down trees in a popular tourist area.
TMZ Sports has learned ... Santa Monica police were dispatched to the famed 3rd Street Promenade just after midnight ... to confront a group of males who were allegedly causing havoc, doing some unauthorized gardening, breaking holiday decorations, and screwing with a fence owned by a local business.
When cops arrived, they detained 5 men while they located surveillance video.
After watching the tape, which cops tell us captured the vandalism, all five males were arrested.
Three of those men -- listed below -- are currently seniors on the UCLA rugby squad.
- Mark Sapper, 21-year-old, 5'10", 200 lbs.
- Shane Barry, 21-year-old, 5'11", 180 lbs.
- Aiden Metzner, 22-year-old, 6'7", 230 lbs.
All 5 men, including the 3 current athletes, were hit with the same charge ... felony vandalism. Police note the men were cooperative.
If ultimately convicted, the guys face up to 1 year in county jail and/or a $10,000 fine.
The rugby season is currently in full swing ... and the team is a perfect 3-0.
We've reached out to the university. So far, no word back.