ARREST MADE IN CONNECTION WITH RECENT PROTEST DISRUPTION
Published: 06/25/2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 25, 2020
CONTACT:
Officer Ryan J. Railsback
Public Information Officer
Community Services Bureau
(951) 373-6032 (Media Contact)
ARREST MADE IN CONNECTION WITH RECENT PROTEST DISRUPTION
Riverside, CA – On Monday, June 1, 2020, there was a large and peaceful demonstration in the downtown area of Riverside. Once the peaceful protesters began to leave, a sizable group of rioters remained to cause disruption, destruction, and harm to our city. There were numerous acts of vandalism and several businesses were either looted or attempts made. There were also instances where large commercial grade fireworks were thrown at law enforcement and ignited amongst crowds of people.
One such instance was captured on video showing a vehicle stopping in the intersection of University Avenue and Orange Street with the driver placing a large firework on the street and lighting it. An unknown person in the crowd grabbed the firework and threw it back into this vehicle where it exploded. A group of onlookers and the suspect driver then assaulted this unknown person. Based on the video, detectives were able to obtain a license plate of the suspect vehicle and photos of the suspect. After further investigation, the suspect was identified as Gabriel Castillo, 20-years-old of Perris and currently on probation for evading police. Click this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_PdHEItC8E to view video of the firework exploding.
On Tuesday, June 23, 2020, a probation search was conducted at a home in the 26900 block of Placentia Avenue in Perris and Mr. Castillo was arrested. He was later booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center for the illegal fireworks violation and probation violations, and currently being held on $50,000 bail.
Detectives are requesting the public’s help in identifying other suspects who committed acts of vandalism and looting in the same downtown area. Video of those crimes can be found by clicking this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icVM1JlCn8g.
The first video shows a male suspect spray painting graffiti on a City of Riverside electrical box at the corner of Mission Inn Avenue and Orange Street. The second video captures a different angle of the suspect as he walks away. This suspect is seen wearing a blue and black jacket, brown pants, white shoes, and sunglasses.
The third video shows a male suspect using a hammer to vandalize and attempt to break into a Wells Fargo ATM machine at 3750 University Avenue. The fourth video captures a better view of this suspect as he stands at the corner of University Avenue and Market Street. This suspect is seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with a blue stripe on the sleeves, black pants, and white shoes.
The fifth video captures a large group of suspects breaking into and looting the T-Mobil store located at 3750 University Avenue.
The sixth video shows a male suspect walking away after he smashed 4 large glass windows at the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office building, located at 3960 Orange Street. The suspect is described as a Hispanic male adult wearing a black T-shirt over a white T-shirt, gray or light blue pants, blue bandana, and wearing a black facemask. He also has a visible tattoo of the Riverside bell. The damage he caused totaled over $8,000.
The seventh video show several suspects vandalizing and attempting to break into the Provident Bank ATM machine located at 3695 Main Street. The estimated damage totaled at least $30,000.
The eighth and final video captured a black male suspect using a metal pipe object to attempt to break the glass doors to the Game Lab, located at 3633 Market Street. Fortunately, three women and three men ultimately stopped the suspect from further damage or looting. This suspect was wearing a black shirt, black shorts, black gloves, black and white shoes, and wearing a black facemask and dark backpack.
The rioters captured on these videos caused thousands of dollars in damage and theft to a few of our local Riverside businesses. If you recognize any of them, please contact Detective Paul Miranda at (951) 353-7119 or [email protected].
Those wishing to remain anonymous can email [email protected] or utilize the Riverside Police Department’s mobile app “Submit a Tip” feature while referencing report number 200010585.
