Over 30 Stores Damaged In Naperville Looting; 11 Arrested

NAPERVILLE, IL — More than 30 stores were looted in the city Monday night and 11 arrests were made after peaceful protests were followed by violence, Police Chief Robert Marshall said Tuesday.

Marshall said in a news conference that events Monday started with a peaceful protest of about 300 or 400 people but that "things dramatically changed" just before 9 p.m. "Instigators, many from outside our city, began using two-by-fours, bricks and bottles to break store windows."

"What happened last night is destruction, plain and simple," Mayor Steve Chirico said at the news conference. "Looting and violence is never the answer. Just like every community, our businesses have all been suffering great losses because of COVID-19. Now, this damage is another blow to them."

Marshall said explosives and bricks were thrown at police officers during the unrest downtown. Marshall said police sustained eye injuries, hearing loss and other minor injuries as a result of the explosives, but did not require hospitalization.

Eleven people were arrested, Marshall said. "To separate the violence from the peaceful protesters was just not tactically possible," he said in explaining why more people were not arrested. He added that the police did not use tear gas because rioters were interspersed with peaceful protesters.

Marshall said the police department "intends to make more arrests" and is reviewing video from local businesses and helicopter footage from the Department of Homeland Security.

Marshall said Shoot Point Blank gun store and range was burglarized, along with other locations outside of downtown Naperville. Marshall said four people were taken into custody after at least 10 firearms were taken from the gun store.

Naperville police said in an earlier update that someone at the scene was stabbed by a looter. Marshall said the person who was stabbed was trying to help police and is in serious condition.

"Last night, our police officers displayed remarkable discipline and professionalism as they performed their duties," Chirico said. He mentioned the extensive training officers have gone through to handle crisis situations, adding "Today, our officers are safe. We did not lose any lives. And our buildings are standing."

Thanking the hundreds of volunteers helping to clean up in the aftermath of the looting, Chirico said. "While I am incredibly saddened by what happened, I was also uplifted by what I saw in our community this morning."

He added, "That's the real Naperville."

More coverage:

Downtown Naperville Damage 'Heartbreaking:' Mayor Chirico

'Sense Of Community' As Naperville Cleans Up After Looting

Naperville Stores Looted, Damaged; Explosives Set Off: Police

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