Curfew's Second Night: 218 More Arrests
Curfew To Remain In Effect
Cincinnati police said that 218 arrests occurred in the city between 9 a.m. Friday through 9 a.m. Saturday, with 200 people arrested for curfew violations.
Through 9 a.m. Saturday, Cincinnati police chief Thomas Streicher Jr. said that 200 adults were arrested for curfew violations. One adult was arrested for robbery and another person was arrested in connection with a burglary.
Shots were fired in the city's five police districts overnight, Streicher said. There were reports of rocks and bottles thrown and general reports of disorder due to some crowds, but Streicher said that there were no major problems.
City officials instituted the 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew Thursday in response to protesting, looting and vandalism that began Monday afternoon and continued for three nights.
A Cincinnati police officer was hurt overnight as he responded to a burglary. The officer fell and was transported to The University Hospital. Police said that the officer suffered cuts to his hand and knee.
Police are expecting a large crowd outside the New Prospect Church at the Saturday funeral of Timothy Thomas. Streicher said that police would assist the church in facilitating the funeral, but would keep a low profile to allow family members and friends to grieve. Thomas, 19, was shot and killed on April 7 by a Cincinnati police officer.
Thomas, who was unarmed, was fleeing Officer Stephen Roach. Roach, 27, who is white, was placed on administrative leave. Thomas was wanted on 14 misdemeanor warrants, including receiving stolen goods, police said. He also faced traffic violations, including driving without a license and failing to wear a seat belt.
Thomas, who was the father of a 3-month-old son, was engaged to be married and was about to start a new job. He was the fourth black man killed by Cincinnati police since last November. Three were shot and a fourth died of asphyxiation while he was in police custody, resulting in charges against two officers.
Violence, described as the worst in Cincinnati since the aftermath of the assassination of Martin Luther King in 1968, began Monday night.
Reports of crime sprees began coming into Cincinnati police on Monday night after a raucous City Council meeting. At least 66 people were arrested Monday night and Tuesday morning, and several dozen people were hospitalized. Windows in major stores were broken, newspaper racks and garbage cans were thrown into the streets, and a hot dog vendor's cart was overturned.
The worst of the disturbances were reported Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning, when stores were looted and set on fire and people were pulled from their cars and beaten, WLWT reported.
Tensions appeared to ease by Wednesday, but shortly before 11 p.m., a Cincinnati police officer was hit by gunfire near Vine and Green streets.
The bullet struck the gun belt of officer Andy Noguera and bounced off of his stomach, leaving a large bruise and a small cut. Noguera, a 12-year veteran of the force, was taken to The University Hospital as a precaution, but his injuries were not severe, WLWT reported. He was released Thursday.
The suspect started firing at officers and then began to run as he fired, according to Cincinnati police spokesman Lt. Ray Ruberg.
The man accused of firing at Noguera has not been caught. He was described as a 6-foot-tall black male with a heavy build, Ruberg said.
Police reported 82 arrests Wednesday night and Thursday morning. The crime also spread to other parts of the city, including University Heights, Walnut Hills, Avondale, Evanston and Norwood. Vandals also struck again in the area around Findlay Market, WLWT reported.
Thieves reportedly struck Deveroes stores on Reading Road, Race Street and Elm Street. The thieves returned after police left the scene, and there were reports of people hiding in the basement of one of the stores.
On Thursday, President Bush asked Attorney General John Ashcroft to discuss ways that the government can restore calm.
"The president understands the very strong emotions involved, and he joins Cincinnati and Ohio leaders in their appeal to the people of Cincinnati for calm and a nonviolent resolution to the current situation," White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said.
The U.S. Justice Department announced that it would also investigate the shooting.
Stay tuned to ChannelCincinnati.com and WLWT Eyewitness News 5 for additional updates.
Previous Stories:
- April 13, 2001: Religious Leaders Pray For City
- April 13, 2001: Curfew: 153 Violators Arrested
- April 13, 2001: Mfume Sends Message To City
- April 12, 2001: Curfew Begins At 8 p.m.
- April 12, 2001: Emergency Hotline Established
- April 12, 2001: Norwood Under State Of Emergency
- April 12, 2001: Bush Gets Involved In Unrest
- April 12, 2001: Taft Issues Statement On Unrest
- April 12, 2001: NAACP President Leads Meeting
- April 12, 2001: Police Release Cruiser Tape Of Shooting
- April 12, 2001: Police Officer Shot As Unrest Spreads
- April 12, 2001: Guard Troops May Be Called To City
- April 12, 2001: Justice Department To Investigate Death
- April 11, 2001: Over-the-Rhine Neighbors Look For Hope
- April 11, 2001: Who Is Officer Steven Roach?
- April 11, 2001: Sporadic Violence Continues Overnight
- April 11, 2001: Shooting Protests Turn Violent
- April 10, 2001: Cleanup Begins After Shooting Protests
- April 10, 2001: Police Face More Protests
- April 10, 2001: Police, Protesters Clash Over Shooting
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