Photo

Crowds spilled into San Francisco streets this afternoon following the 49ers' 28-24 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in today's National Football Conference Championship Game.

Large crowds of celebrating fans were reported in the Mission District, and at one point a crowd took over parts of Mission Street near
Silver Avenue, Officer Gordon Shyy said this evening.

Police are out in force in those areas, however, and officers have not seen the sort of vandalism and crowds that followed the San Francisco Giants' World Series win in October 2012, Shyy said.

"We anticipated large crowds coming in to the city to watch the game, so we do have substantial resources to address any problems that result," Shyy said.

At the same time, San Francisco police were also investigating the teams's wide receiver Michael
Crabtree in connection with a sexual assault.

The assault allegedly happened in a San Francisco hotel early in the morning of Jan. 13, the day following the 49ers playoff victory against the Green Bay Packers, police said.

Crabtree has been interviewed by police and cooperated with the investigation. He has not been detained or arrested, police said.

The San Francisco police Special Victims Unit is continuing to investigate the allegations and after the investigation is complete it will be turned over to the district attorney's office.

Crabtree was a first round draft pick by the 49ers in 2009 after playing college football at Texas Tech University. He led rookie receivers for yards per game in his first season and had a career best year in the 2012 season with 85 catches for 1,105 yards and nine touchdowns.

As for the crowds Sunday, Officer Gordon Shyy said, "We're already planning for the Super Bowl."

The Super Bowl is scheduled to take place Feb. 3 in New Orleans.

— Bay City News Service

Are you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.