Vallejo Under Citywide Curfew After Protests, Looting

SOLANO COUNTY, CA — A citywide curfew went into effect at 8 p.m. Monday in Vallejo following weekend looting in which 12 businesses were vandalized and seven arrests were made. The curfew is from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. daily and remains in effect until further notice.

During the curfew, loitering in public places is prohibited. Exceptions include emergency travel and those traveling to and from work, school or business, city officials said.

"The curfew is set in an effort to protect public safety, reduce property damage and personal injury during a civil disturbance," the city said.

The announcement of a curfew came after looters vandalized at least 12 businesses Saturday in Vallejo as protests and demonstrations erupted across the Bay Area and the nation following the May 25 death of George Floyd.

Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died while being arrested by Minneapolis police. Video from the scene shows Floyd face down on the ground and a Minneapolis police officer with his knee on Floyd's neck for several minutes as Floyd can be heard saying "I can't breathe." That officer, Derek Chauvin, has since been charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter, and many have called for the arrest of three other officers at the scene of Floyd's death.

Protests started almost immediately in Minneapolis, and by Friday had spread to communities across the United States, including Los Angeles, Oakland, San Francisco, New York, Denver and Seattle.

In Vallejo, police made seven arrests Saturday, issued two citations, and responded to 22 incidents involving vandalism and looting, according to Vallejo Police Department Spokeswoman Brittany Jackson.

The events Saturday began when officers were dispatched reports of a protest at the Target store in the 900 block of Admiral Callaghan Lane.

"As the evening progressed, crowds of protestors grew and became increasingly hostile toward officers, throwing rocks and bottles," Jackson. "At one point, protestors also ignited and threw dangerous explosive fireworks."

When officers ordered crowds to disperse, groups of people went on to vandalize commercial properties in the Gateway Plaza and surrounding areas.

"At least 12 businesses were vandalized, including but not limited to, Starbucks, Ulta Beauty, Game Stop, Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt and Supercuts," Jackson said.

Two Vallejo residents, identified by police as 20-year-old Auvionce Hall and 26-year-old Jai Jones, are accused of breaking into CVS in the 1100 block of Admiral Callaghan Lane and stealing 44 packages of medication prescribed to patients, Jackson said.

Officers recovered the medication and returned it to CVS, and arrested Hall and Jones on suspicion of looting or theft during an emergency.

At a 7-Eleven store in the 1200 block of Tennessee Street, a suspect broke a window and stole several items before leaving in a getaway car.

A suspect identified as 22-year-old Amir Smith, of Oakland, was arrested on suspicion of looting at the Dollar Tree store on Admiral Callaghan Lane.

Protesters Saturday blocked traffic in the 500 block of Tennessee Street and broke into a local business, looting it, Jackson said.

"When officers responded, additional rocks and bottles were thrown at officers, and the crowds proceeded to block traffic at Tennessee and Sonoma Streets, constituting an unlawful assembly," Jackson said.

Officers then shifted their attention to the Vallejo Police Department, where a crowd was beginning to form.

"Once protestors arrived at the police station, they again proceeded to throw rocks and bottles at police units," Jackson said. "A large rock was also launched into a Vallejo Police unit, smashing the windshield and nearly injuring an officer."

After officers made multiple attempts to deescalate the crowd by giving verbal warnings, they deployed tear gas, flashbangs and less-lethal force.

No injuries to protesters or officers were reported, according to Jackson.

In total, officers responded to 22 incidents of "riotous destructive behavior throughout the city of Vallejo," Jackson said.

Vallejo residents Jakob Smith, 20; Luis Zepeda Torres, 27; Daniel Ajero, 30; and Napa resident Erik Amdahl, 26; were arrested on suspicion of unlawful connection to protests, Jackson said.

In response to the Vallejo events, police Chief Shawny Williams issued this statement:

"I am extremely disheartened to learn of the assault against our police officers and the countless acts of vandalism, burglary, and looting. While we stand by everyone's constitutional right to protest peacefully, we do not condone the senseless acts contributing to the destruction of our City and the attacks on our officers. During these difficult times, we must lift up our community, not tear it down.

"Lastly, I want to sincerely thank our frontline officers, Mobile Field Force, CHP Air unit, and multi-agency responders for their outstanding level of restraint and courage in the face of these lawless acts. We honor their commitment to safeguarding the lives of our community in the midst of national turmoil and crisis."

There was also a protest over the weekend in Benicia that turned out to be peaceful, according to the Benicia Police Department.

Protesters gathered around 11 a.m. Sunday at City Park and marched through the downtown— up and down First Street and then up East Second Street. The march was organized and led by a Benicia High School student, and there were others in the crowd who were not students, including families and other adults.

Benicia police supported the march by managing traffic and maintaining safety.

Benicia City Manager Lorie Tinfow said twice the number of protesters then marched to the Police Department.

"During the second visit, they took over the parking lot," Tinfow said. "Police Officers responded with respect and openness and the march continued out into the street, ultimately dispersing about 2 p.m."

"This was a wonderful example of how to voice protest over actions THAT MUST STOP and to do so safely," Tinfow said. "I’m proud of this community and our Police Department. As a nation, we have much work to do. I have confidence that as a community we have a strong foundation on which we can build to do our part in addressing racism in America."

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