2 More Arrests Made Stemming From Austin Police Abuse Protests

AUSTIN, TX — State police on Monday said they have made two more arrests in connection to what they categorized as "rioting and vandalism" stemming from protests against law enforcement abuse in May.

The Texas Department of Public Safety said in a prepared statement its special agents executed arrest warrants for Joe Paul Mitchell, 56, of Austin, and a 16-year-old boy.

The first arrest occurred on the evening of Friday, July 3, when DPS Special Agents obtained multiple arrest warrants for Mitchell that included rioting, resisting arrest and evading arrest, according to the advisory. Video posted on social media shows Mitchell attacking and kicking a DPS patrol vehicle during the protest at the Texas State Capitol on May 30, officials added.

Mitchell first resisted arrest when confronted by troopers before trying to escape, officials said. As troopers attempted an arrest, a group of other protestors surrounded him in an effort to free the man. "Troopers were able to move Mitchell to a safe location, confirm his identity and release him," officials wrote.

On July 3, officials added, agents obtained arrest warrants for Mitchell before taking him into custody without incident.

Related stories:

• Austin Erupts In Protest Over Officer-Involved Killings
• Austin Police Make 30-Plus Arrests In 24 Hours Amid Protests
  
• Charges Filed Against 2 Austin Protesters
  
• ANTIFA Trio Arrested For Austin Target Store Looting, Burglary

The second arrest occurred this past Sunday after agents received arrest warrants for a 16-year-old male for resisting arrest, criminal mischief, evading arrest and two counts of riot, according to the advisory. Surveillance from May 30 shows the teen, and 18-year-old Gerald Govan Brown (who has already been charged) spray painting the Texas State Capitol. The agency said troopers attempted to stop and arrest the teen, who resisted and fled.

Additional surveillance from May 31 shows the teen again involved with a group of people spray painting several locations — including the Governor’s Mansion and the Texas State Capitol — as police noted in their advisory. On Sunday, special agents said they coordinated with the teen’s family, and he was taken into custody without incident.

"Both of these arrests are the result of ongoing investigations conducted by DPS Special Agents and Crime Analysts who have reviewed hundreds of hours of videos from various media platforms, surveillance camera footage, law enforcement databases and open source information over the last several weeks," officials wrote. "The investigation into additional suspects continues."

News of the arrests come a little over a week since the law enforcement agency reported they had made two previous arrests, including the aforementioned Brown of Pflugerville. Deshawn Berkley, 22, of Austin, also was arrested stemming from incidents on June 22.