Philadelphia law officials report that more than 50 people were arrested by Wednesday evening, for breaking into and looting several stores.
The flash-mob-style ransacking and the subsequent arrests, occurred after a protest over Eddie Irizarry, a driver who was allegedly murdered by a former police officer, Mark Dial, last month who shortly after had all charges dropped against him.
Out of all the arrests, there were at least 49 confirmed adults and 3 confirmed adolescents, including one protester who was livestreaming the event and sharing the videos to X and other social media platforms.
The current interim police commissioner, John M. Stanford Jr., doesn’t believe that the incidents were related to the murder or the protest. He described the situation at a press conference as, “A bunch of criminal opportunists taking advantage of a situation and making an attempt to destroy our city.”
The current mayor of Philadelphia, Jim Kenny, labeled it, “A sickening display of opportunistic criminal display”.
One protester, Africa Jr., a person, said “Killing Eddie the way they did — ain’t doing their job … Standing there, surrounding us as if we’re the criminals — that ain’t doing their job. These buildings, these streets that we’ve been protesting in front of all these years, they don’t need your protection,”
Stanford later said that investigators believe that the looting groups are being organized on social media. Dayjia Blackwell known online as “Meatball” is a 21 year old woman who is in custody as a possible leader after being singled out by the groups.
Many members of the Philadelphia community expressed their fears about the situation. “It makes me feel terrible, I just turned 79, and at points, I’m afraid to go out,” said Janet Johnson, one citizen. She usually shops at many of the stores that were ransacked and is concerned about their future.
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board temporarily closed over 40 liquor stores in Philadelphia to prevent more lootings after 18 stores were robbed overnight.
Police presence in the area increased across the city after the lootings took place. Two more people were taken into custody even despite the additional patrols for looting another liquor store.
The city encourages any business owner who was impacted to reach out to the Department Of Commerce as they may be eligible for a grant.
Authorities ask anybody with any information on anybody who could be involved to report it anonymously.
