Most Stanley Cup rioters weren't criminals, Vancouver police chief Jim Chu says

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      Vancouver police Chief Constable Jim Chu is standing by his morning-after claim that "criminals, anarchists, and thugs" started the city's second Stanley Cup riot.

      “While we are still standing by that observation about the instigators, we are learning that most of the people that joined in the riot and that have now been charged represent a wider spectrum of young people, many of whom do not have criminal records," Chu said in a news release today (June 20).

      According to Vancouver police, 12 people have turned themselves in to the department over incidents during the riot. Three more people have turned themselves in to other police forces.

      The total number of people arrested has hit 117.

      Two men are facing charges in connection with the alleged stabbing of two men on Hornby Street during the riot.

      Edgar Ricardo Garcia, a 20-year-old Burnaby resident, has been charged with aggravated assault.

      Joshua Lyle Evans, a 27-year-old Calgary resident, has been charged with possessing a weapon dangerous to the public peace.

      Police have recommended charges against six other men—hailing from Burnaby, Delta, Maple Ridge, and Surrey—for various offenses linked to the riot, but these have not yet approved by Crown counsel.

      Chu urged people who were recorded committing crimes in photos and video to turn themselves in to police.

      “If you come in voluntarily you can do so discreetly and at a time that is convenient for you,” Chu said. “If you wait until we find you - and we will find you - we will arrest you in a public manner suitable to the public crimes you have committed.”

      You can follow Stephen Hui on Twitter at twitter.com/stephenhui.

      Comments

      7 Comments

      Fan'o Truth

      Jun 20, 2011 at 1:56pm

      Over one hundred have been arrested, but only a half dozen have been charged. And none of those charged have addresses in the City of Vancouver.

      Well, what are the municipalities of residence for the other 100 or more people?

      Tim Bus

      Jun 20, 2011 at 2:59pm

      Vancouver Public Library hosted anarchists at their downtown branch. For free? Does it matter?

      Poor taste, to put it mildly, on behalf of the Chief Librarian.
      Those who wish the downfall (at their hands) of any kind of organized government, don't have to buy the rope with which to hang the capitalists, it's donated to them.

      Huh?

      Jun 20, 2011 at 4:16pm

      I thought the anarchists had been caught.

      Anarchist Riot Headquarters Discovered: Vancouver Officials Find Material Cache

      VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) - Vancouver city officials have released a satellite photograph showing professional anarchists planning the Stanley Cup riot.

      The grainy image depicts a dome structure that the anarchists used as a barracks and command center during their planning of the riot. Outside the dome anarchist leaders are seen discussing the logistics of the attack. A white van that Mayor Gregor Robertson said may have been used to transport weapons is also visible.

      Police Chief Jim Chu explained that the criminals were captured through old-fashioned police work rather than social media. "They tried to organize a smaller practice riot outside another local sports stadium then we tracked them back to their hideout less than one kilometer (.6 miles) away." Anarchism expert Dr. Andre Gerolymatos of Simon Fraser University confirmed the militants received training in Greece.

      A raid on the headquarters turned up sewing machines, a cache of material used to make counterfeit hockey jerseys, and a Bluetooth device used to control the riot from a distance.

      Posted: Jun 19, 2011 5:36 PM EST
      Updated: Jun 19, 2011 5:52 PM EST

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqBWnFGfO1M

      PoCoBoy

      Jun 20, 2011 at 8:53pm

      Maybe they weren't criminals before, but they are now.

      HonestTruth

      Jun 21, 2011 at 9:39am

      Who pays VPD budget? criminals? hooligans? anarchists? NO, honest, hardworking citizens....Chief Constable Jim Chu, you can be replaced and a proper, trained chief will take over...and do your job!

      Fat Albert

      Jun 21, 2011 at 5:46pm

      Jim Chu, stop deflecting blame by continuing to refer to the '94 riot. You appear to lack the necessary tactical skills in dealing with a riot. Innocent civilians had to intervene on your behalf, endangering their lives, while your people stood around and watched. Shame on you. Show some muscle next time and treat hoodlums with force. And there will be a next time. Mayor Gregor Robertson insists he will continue to have critical masses it the future. He obviously has no respect for the innocent shop keepers who are held at ransom by a bunch of hoodlums. Learn by actions of world class cities how to deal with crowd control. As for the lame justice system in this country, god help us all.

      GOT

      Jun 21, 2011 at 10:17pm

      I don't care if they were choir boys gone bad....you know who they are, so kick their arses up around their shoulders and into the crowbar hotel for a few months instead of making excuses....or are you afraid of mommy and daddy's lawyers?