Suspects in May 30 riots now face over 100 charges

More suspected looters face charges

Aaron Mesmer reports

TAMPA, Fla. - Early Friday morning, the Hillsborough State Attorney's Office announced several dozen more charges will be filed for looting and rioting that began on the night of May 30.

State Attorney Andrew Warren announced an initial set of charges on June 18. Now, with the latest felony charges, there are a total of 57 people facing a total of 113 charges.

The suspects face charges for ransacking stores, causing destruction and fighting with officers who tried to arrest them.

"These 57 people should not be confused with the large number of peaceful protesters in our community," he said in a statement. "The defendants we’ve charged took advantage of the pain in our community and tried to turn it into a quick buck or set out to cause chaos. None of us will stand for that.”

Looting, rioting in Tampa

The view from several locations where protests turned violent in the north Tampa area.

The felony charges filed so far break down as follows:

Burglary of a Structure* – 52 counts
Grand Theft – 13 counts
Rioting/Inciting to Riot – 6 counts
Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer – 4 counts
Carrying a Concealed Firearm – 3 counts
Felon in Possession of a Firearm – 1 count
Fleeing to Elude Law Enforcement – 1 count
Possession of Cocaine – 1 count

*includes 2 counts of Armed Burglary of a Structure and 3 counts of Burglary of a Structure During a State of Emergency

Misdemeanor charges associated with these same defendants:

Petit Theft – 14 counts
Resisting Arrest Without Violence – 10 counts
Unlawful Violation of Established Emergency Measures – 6 counts
Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer – 1 count
Loitering or Prowling – 1 count

An additional 45 felony cases are still being reviewed and more charges could come.

University Mall protest

Deputies use gas to try and disperse crowds that were allegedly trying to break into the mall.

PREVIOUS: 11 face felony charges from night of civil unrest; more charges likely in coming weeks, state attorney says

Jewelry stores, clothing stores, convenience stores, cell phone stores, a department store, a sporting goods store, a fireworks store, a pawn shop and a car rental office were among businesses that were victimized, according to the state attorney's office.

Police brutality protests sparked across the country, including in the Tampa Bay area, after the death of George Floyd. However, during that last weekend of May, some protests turned violent, including in Tampa.

There was damage and crime in the University Mall area and other areas of the county, including a Riverview gun shop.