Pleasanton Police Assist in Oakland Protest

By Autumn Johnson

Police officers from Pleasanton were sent to assist the Oakland Police Department on Monday night during the protest and ensuing vandalism and rioting that took place at the Frank H. Ogawa Plaza in Oakland. 

Pleasanton Sergeant Kurt Schlehuber confirmed that six Pleasanton officers were sent to the riot around 9 p.m. and returned to Pleasanton at about 3 a.m.

Oakland Police say about 250 protesters assembled at the Frank H. Ogawa Plaza shortly after 6 p.m. on July 15. The crowd had gathered in protest of George Zimmerman's acquittal in the Trayvon Martin case in Florida.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Oakland Police officials said, "Oakland Police facilitated protests through the downtown streets of Oakland. The downtown business areas were unfortunately impacted by vandalism which included assaults, broken windows, graffiti and small fires. Shortly after 7:00 p.m., OPD called for mutual aid and partnering law enforcement agencies responded."

According to the statement, eight adults and one juvenile were arrested during the ensuing melee. The majority of the arrestees reported addresses outside of Oakland, according to police.

"Arrests included two felony crimes and seven misdemeanors. Violations included assault with a deadly weapon, resisting arrest, vandalism and similar offenses. One replica firearm (BB gun) was recovered from a protester."

Other local agencies were sent to assist Oakland Police including the Alameda County Sheriff's Office, Newark, Hayward, Union City, Fremont, Berkeley, San Leandro  Police Departments and the California Highway Patrol.

Bay City News contributed to this report.