Area cities report few incidents of vandalism following black man’s death
LOS ANGELES — While other parts of the region were harder hit by looting and violence as Southland residents reacted to the killing of a black man by a Minneapolis police officer May 25, only a small number of looting incidents and violence spilled over into southeast Los Angeles communities.
Protests following the death of George Floyd, who died after a police officer kneeled on his throat for more than eight minutes, resulted in three nights of curfews for Los Angeles County residents from May 31 to June 2.
Sgt. Robert Martinez with the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station said three independent pharmacies were hit by looters in Bellflower and a fourth one in Paramount, in addition to a WSS shoes store in the latter city.
Minutes after midnight on June 2, a Target store in Norwalk suffered storefront damages and looting, but three suspects were arrested by sheriff’s deputies and charged with robbery and violation of curfew.
Pico Rivera Mayor Gustavo Camacho issued a statement condemning police brutality, encouraged residents to voice their anger in peace, but said the city will not tolerate criminal behavior that jeopardizes the integrity of local businesses and human safety.
