Vandalism and looting after murder charges dropped against officer results in 50-plus being arrested

Written by Neil Heater

PHILADELPHIA, PA - Authorities with the Philadelphia Police (PPD) have reported that over 50 individuals were arrested after vandalizing several stores in different parts of Philadelphia. Over 100 people were reported to be involved in the break-ins and property theft.

The incident was apparently a follow-up to social media enticing the people to smash-and-grab merchandise from the establishments following a police officer's charge of murder being tossed by a judge.

Police have said that the attacks on the retail stores was a response to the judge's decision to dismiss the charges, including murder, against Philadelphia Police Officer Mark Dial, who had been accused of shooting and killing Eddie Irizarry through window of his car. The judge ruled that the shooting was in self defense and did not meet the threshold of criminality.

Immediately after the judge's ruling, a protest started. That later turned into a riot that included destruction of retail property.

According to the police, they were able to apprehend and arrest 52 perpetrators. According to the Philadelphia District Attorney's office, charges involving burglary and other offenses were made against 30 individuals, most of whom were teenagers.

Seen as a coordinated attack, the teenagers crashed their way into various retail stores and made off with merchandise stuffed into plastic bags, authorities noted.

The mayhem was inspired by social media posts, which fired up the suspects and encouraged them to ransack and loot stores such as Foot Locker, Apple, and Lululemon.

Interim Police Commissioner John Stafford referred to the group of vandals as "a bunch of criminal opportunists."

Back in August of this year, Officer Dial was charged with murder after the fetal shooting of Eddie Irizarry during a traffic stop. Dial was seen in video footage of his body cam firing into the rolled up window shortly after exiting his patrol car.

Fortunato Perry Jr, Dial's attorney commented, “Despite what has been portrayed to the media, the facts will unmistakably show that Officer Mark Dial was legally justified in discharging his weapon while fearing for his life.”

Besides the thefts, vandals smashed out storefront windows and displays.

Mayor Jim Kenny referred to the entire episode as a "sickening display of opportunistic criminal activity." He was quick to add that the police would be assessing areas around the communities and would be providing additional police coverage in the days ahead. 

Earlier in the evening, police had contacted a group of young men dressed in black and wearing masks. The authorities also stated that police were investigating a number of convoys of vehicles traveling through the neighborhoods prior to the attacks. 

In spite of numerous businesses being vandalized, there were no notable reports of injuries, although a security guard at a Foot Locker was assaulted.

At one location, a pharmacy owner reported that his business had suffered three burglaries over time. "I understand, you know, desperate times for people call for desperate measures, and there are plenty of opportunists that just see drugs," the owner, Benjamin Nachum, stated to local CBS news affiliate.

His major concern throughout these thefts has been that drugs would end up out on the street, which is a concern that's been hitting communities around the country after opportunistic criminal activity similar to what happened in Philadelphia.