PITTSBURGH (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) - Citizens in the city of Pittsburgh have been searching for answers from Mayor Bill Peduto after a video of Pittsburgh Police using an unmarked van to arrest a protester.
The video showed a protester being forcibly put into the back of an unmarked white van, the arresting officers were in plain clothes and heavily armed.
The man who was arrested later said he was tricked into approaching the vehicle, stating someone in the van was asking for directions.
Hey y'all, the Post Gazette already put my name out there - this was me. The Pittsburgh Police approached the bike perimeter in an unmarked van and lured me closer by pretending to need directions around the march. @billpeduto answer for this you rat. https://t.co/Qe5shtXrSu
— Matthew wants Bill Peduto to resign (@orphir_) August 16, 2020The man was then grabbed by multiple men and thrown into the back of the van before being taken to Allegheny County Jail.
Mayor Peduto on Monday, released a statement on the incident.
"It is hard to find the words for how livid I was after seeing the online videos of the disturbing arrest at Saturday's protest," Mayor Peduto said. "I have taken the time to review all the video and information that has been made available to me. As Mayor, I will never tolerate these tactics being used at peaceful protests again."
Mayor @billpeduto released the following statement regarding the arrest of a protester in Oakland Saturday by @PghPolice using an unmarked van. pic.twitter.com/Br48C7Kkk8
— Office of the Mayor (@TheNextPGH) August 17, 2020Mayor Peduto confirmed on Sunday that the arresting officers were with the Pittsburgh Police Department.
Protesters gathered again on Sunday following the arrest, this time in front of Mayor Peduto's house and were calling for his removal from office.
Pittsburgh Public Safety stated in a tweet that the man who was arrested by the unmarked van was originally hit with five charges; Obstructing highways and other public passages, unauthorized person directing traffic, failure to disperse, disorderly conduct, and risking catastrophe.
About 30 minutes later, a follow-up tweet was made that the man arrested will only be facing three charges; Failure to disperse, disorderly conduct, and obstructing highways and other public passages.
UPDATE: The male is who was arrested at today's protest faces three charges, not five.These are the updated charges:- Failure to Disperse- Disorderly Conduct- Obstructing Highways and Other Public Passages https://t.co/3O0sE3Hcip
— Pgh Public Safety (@PghPublicSafety) August 16, 2020___Listen to KDKA Radio on the RADIO.COM AppTell your smart speaker to "play News Radio 10 20 KDKA"Receive email updates from KDKA RadioFollow KDKA Radio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
