Current:Home > MarketsMan accused of torching police motorcycles in attack authorities have linked to ‘Cop City’ protests-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Man accused of torching police motorcycles in attack authorities have linked to ‘Cop City’ protests
View Date:2024-12-23 18:54:22
ATLANTA (AP) — A man in Atlanta was arrested Thursday on charges that he torched eight police motorcycles last summer, one of about two dozen acts of arson that officials have linked to protests against a planned police and firefighter training facility that opponents have dubbed “Cop City.”
John Robert Mazurek, 30, was charged with first-degree arson in connection with the early July 1 attack in the parking deck of a southeast Atlanta police precinct, Police Chief Darin Schierbaum announced during a news conference.
No one was injured, but Schierbaum said a police officer was inside the precinct at the time and could have been killed if the arsonists’ flames had spread to the building.
Mazurek was arrested Thursday morning while authorities served search warrants at three local homes that investigators believe might contain evidence in connection with the attacks, officials said. It is unclear whether he has an attorney who could comment on the charge — Fulton County’s online court records are currently unavailable as a result of a recent hack.
The police chief pledged that more arrests will come and reiterated that a $200,000 reward still stands for information that can help authorities identify those who have committed the various attacks against police vehicles and construction equipment.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said the attacks have been carried out by extremists who have no interest in safety or public order.
“They want chaos,” Dickens said.
Dickens and others say the planned $109 million training center would replace inadequate training facilities and help address difficulties in hiring and retaining police officers that worsened after 2020’s nationwide protests against police brutality and racial injustice.
Opponents worry the facility will lead to greater militarization of the police and that its construction will exacerbate environmental damage in a poor, majority-Black area. They are hoping to force a referendum on building the project, though that is currently mired in a legal battle. Sixty-one people were indicted in September on racketeering charges in connection with the movement.
“You can chant all day long, ‘If you build it, we will burn it,’” Schierbaum said, referring to a popular refrain among “Stop Cop City” activists. “But if you set police cars on fire, we’re going to find you, and we’re going to arrest you.”
veryGood! (1589)
Related
- Gun groups sue to overturn Maine’s new three-day waiting period to buy firearms
- Norfolk Southern to end relocation aid right after one-year anniversary of its fiery Ohio derailment
- Fantasy football rankings for Week 14: Playoffs or bust
- Mega Millions winning numbers for Dec. 5 drawing; Jackpot now at $395 million
- Chris Wallace will leave CNN 3 years after defecting from 'Fox News Sunday'
- White Claw 0% Alcohol: Company launches new non-alcoholic drink available in 4 flavors
- The Justice Department is investigating the deaths and kidnappings of Americans in the Hamas attack
- Biden to sign executive order on federal funding for Native Americans
- When is 'The Golden Bachelorette' finale? Date, time, where to watch Joan Vassos' big decision
- A young nurse suffered cardiac arrest while training on the condition. Fellow nurses saved her life
Ranking
- Stock market today: Asian shares mostly decline, shrugging off Wall Street’s overnight rally
- Nordstrom's Holiday Sale has Wishlist-Worthy Finds up to 81% off from SKIMS, Kate Spade, Dior & More
- White Claw 0% Alcohol: Company launches new non-alcoholic drink available in 4 flavors
- US military grounds entire fleet of Osprey aircraft following a deadly crash off the coast of Japan
- Kentucky gets early signature win at Champions Classic against Duke | Opinion
- Jennifer Lopez Flaunts Her Figure With a Cropped, Underboob-Baring Breastplate Top
- Norfolk Southern to end relocation aid right after one-year anniversary of its fiery Ohio derailment
- UN climate talks near end of first week with progress on some fronts, but fossil fuels lurk
Recommendation
-
Study finds Wisconsin voters approved a record number of school referenda
-
At COP28, a Growing Sense of Alarm Over the Harms of Air Pollution
-
In a year of book bans, Maureen Corrigan's top 10 affirm the joy of reading widely
-
2 bodies found in creeks as atmospheric river drops record-breaking rain in Pacific Northwest
-
Glen Powell Addresses Rumor He’ll Replace Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible Franchise
-
A little electric stimulation in just the right spot may bolster a damaged brain
-
California inmate charged with attempted murder in attack on Kristin Smart’s killer
-
Illinois scraps plan for building migrant winter camp due to toxic soil risk