Over the last two days demonstrations have continued to occur in front of the police station often involving unplanned marches.  The Lancaster Bureau of Police is committed to the safety of those attending the stationary demonstrations.  We have been working diligently with community leaders to keep the demonstrations peaceful. 

We are concerned about everyone’s safety and after locating two improvised explosive devices and had a detonation of some kind of low level device in the 100Blk N. Prince St. early Tuesday morning we are asking everyone to say something if they see something.  Call 911 if you see a suspicious package or believed device.  Report agitators or the presence of something suspicious to community leaders so they can report it to the police.  Do not threaten, promote or commit acts of violence because you will face arrest and charges. 

Since Sunday May 31^st the following arrests have been made:

*****IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT NONE OF THE INDIVIDUALS LISTED BELOW HAVE BEEN LINKED TO ANY PART OF THE SEPARATE INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE IMPROVISED INCENDIARY DEVICES OR THE EXPLOSIVE DEVICE THAT WAS SET OFF ON N. PRINCE ST. ANY MEDIA REPORTS FROM THIS CRIME WATCH PUBLICATION SHOULD MAKE A DISTINCTION BETWEEN THESE INCIDENTS*****

John Ratchford M/25 600 blk. Poplar St. Lancaster, PA charged with (1) Count Obstructing Highways and other Public Passages (M3). Summons to be sent.

John Ratchford

Julia Yoder  F/22  400 blk. Main St. Akron, PA. charged with (1) Count Obstructing Highways and other Public Passages (M3). Summons to be sent.

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Christian Saunders M/23  200 blk. State St. Talmage, PA. charged with (1) Count Obstructing Highways and other Public Passages (M3). Summons to be sent.

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Harry DeJesus M/20  500 blk. S. Duke St. Lancaster, PA. charged with (1) Count Obstructing Highways and other Public Passages (M3). Summons to be sent. 

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Emily Ruth F/29  800 blk. Marietta Ave. Lancaster, PA. charged with (1) Count Obstructing Highways and other Public Passages (M3). Summons to be sent. 

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Said Brown M/20 400 blk. New Dorwart St. Lancaster, PA. charged with (1) Count Obstructing Highways and other Public Passages (M3). Summons to be sent.

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Julio Torres M/22 2000 blk. William Penn Way. Torres was charged with Riot (F3), Aggravated Assault (F1), Resisting Arrest (M2) and Disorderly Conduct (M3). Torres was later arraigned and committed to LCP in lieu of bail ($25,000/ 10%).

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Sabrina Espinosa F/42 100 blk. E. Chestnut St. Lancaster, PA. Espinosa was charged with Criminal Solicitation (Riot) (F3) and Disorderly Conduct (M3). Espinosa was arraigned and bail was set at $10,000 (unsecured).

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All persons accused of a crime are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Also early Tuesday morning a car attempting to drive into the 1st blk of W. Chestnut St. was stopped by demonstrators and surrounded.  The car then drove through the group.  This case remains under investigation.  Investigators have to review video footage and speak to witnesses and will confer with the District Attorney’s Office related to charges.

I want to thank the many in attendance who remain peaceful and want their voice to be heard.  I want to thank the community leaders who have been working so hard on the ground to help organize and keep the demonstrations safe.  I especially want to thank the many Bureau officers who have been working long hours, under stressful, emotional and difficult times to keep the area and people safe.  Also our officers who had the forethought on their own to want to speak with members attending the demonstration yesterday.  Opening up a dialogue is a beginning, humanizing each other is necessary for the conversation to advance.

- Chief Jarrad Berkihiser  Lancaster Bureau of Police