A Bloomington man was arrested Friday night after police said they saw him commit and incite vandalism during a march downtown in protest of the presidential inauguration.
Trevor Moore, 23, is charged with several misdemeanors, Bloomington Police Department Lt. Jeff Canada said. The charges include disorderly conduct, rioting, criminal mischief and resisting arrest. Moore was part of a protest march that began at 8:45 p.m. at Peoples Park and wound its way downtown for about 35 minutes.
During the march an officer monitoring the protest saw several protesters covering parking meters with stickers, filling coin slots with super glue and pelting buildings with paint-filled balloons, Canada said.
When the march reached the intersection of Eighth Street and College Avenue, the officer saw a man, later identified as Moore, strike a vehicle with a stick he was carrying. Police don’t know if the vehicle is damaged, but the officer began monitoring Moore, whom he believed to be inciting vandalism, Canada said.
As the march continued police saw protesters vandalize ATMs and drag trash cans into the street, Canada said. The officer monitoring Moore saw him throw a brick through the window of the Old National Bank at 300 E. Kirkwood Ave.
At about 9:20 p.m., the march reached Sample Gates, and protesters began to disperse. Officers made contact with Moore, who led them on a short foot chase before being arrested near the intersection of Fourth and Dunn streets.
Other vandalism reports were taken, though those haven’t been confirmed to be connected to the protest, and no other protesters have been arrested, Canada said.
In past situations like this police have followed up with security camera footage from area businesses and have received tips and photos from bystanders, Canada said
Jack Evans
