Vandalism, burglary in SLO not related to protests, police say
Four teens were arrested Tuesday morning after three downtown San Luis Obispo businesses had their windows shattered by pellet guns.
The four minors, whose ages range from 14 to 16 years old, were later arrested following a second commercial burglary at a San Luis Obispo smoke shop.
The teens are not being identified by name because of their age, but a San Luis Obispo Police Department news release sent late Tuesday said that two of the suspects are from San Luis Obispo, one resides in Atascadero, and a fourth is from Paso Robles.
Police said there’s no indication that either incident — or a third vandalism incident at the city’s Parks and Recreation Department Office on Nipomo Street on Monday night — were in any way related to Monday’s protest in downtown San Luis Obispo.
At about 10:15 p.m. Monday, officers responded to the 800 block of Marsh Street for a report of eight to 10 subjects vandalizing business windows, according to the release.
When officers arrived, they found the Shoe Palace, Central Coast Surfboards, and Founders Bank, with damage to seven exterior windows from BB or pellet guns, police said.
The damage to the windows is estimated at several thousands of dollars, the release said.
An employee at one of the businesses stated that the suspects broke into the Shoe Palace and several items were taken from a window display.
The suspects left the area in a white sedan which was not immediately located, police said.
At about 4:45 a.m. Tuesday, officers responded to a glass-break alarm at Laguna Smokes in the 11500 block of Los Osos Valley Road, police said.
When officers arrived, one witnessed a white sedan leaving the area, according to the news release.
Officers followed the car into the area of Madonna Road, where the car’s four occupants abandoned the vehicle and fled into a nearby neighborhood, police said.
According to the release, two of those suspects were quickly located and placed under arrest, while the other two suspects later turned themselves into the department.
All four suspects were booked into the county Juvenile Services Center.
Police said officers found property from Laguna Smokes inside the car, and two pellet guns were found in the juveniles’ possession.
The police department said evidence was located and was being evaluated Tuesday to determine whether the teens were involved with the vandalism on Marsh Street.
The department says its investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is encouraged to contact Det. Orozco at 805-781-8035.
The vandalism and alleged burglary came hours after protesters marched throughout parts of San Luis Obispo.
Monday’s protest over the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis was peaceful until about 8 p.m., when, following a two-hour standoff at the corner of Santa Rosa and Walnut streets, police in riot gear disbursed demonstrators by firing rounds of tear gas into the crowd.
“There is no indication these incidents were related to the protest which occurred on Monday night,” the San Luis Obispo Police Department said.
