Related
PITTSBURGH (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) - Pittsburgh Police along with multiple local agencies and the public have created a new taskforce to investigate the “small group of people intent on causing destruction” during protests calling for change after a black man, George Floyd, died while in police custody.
The Bureau announced Friday the investigation launched concern people have “have attacked journalists, looted business, caused property damage and committed other crimes such as arson.”
The Damage Assessment and Accountability Taskforce or DAAT was formed earlier this week.
An arrest has already been made in connection with the taskforce. 52-year-old Matthew Michanowicz of Duquesne Heights is accused of leaving a backpack with a homemade bomb in it downtown on Monday.
“The DAAT will continue to review intelligence indicating planned violence against property, journalists, private citizens and law enforcement,” Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich said. “That intelligence includes online threats to damage and loot businesses, and detailed instructions on how to make a Molotov cocktail. These threats are real: On Saturday, a protester threw an improvised incendiary device at a Pittsburgh Police Officer near Mellon Square, which exploded on the ground and caused a nearby officer to suffer concussion-like symptoms. Police are actively investigating.”
The taskforce is currently investigating the looting/vandalism of dozens of businesses and assault on at least five journalists.
“DAAT is a multi-agency team comprised of local, state, and federal Law Enforcement partners, to include: Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, Allegheny County Police, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Department, Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, Pennsylvania State Police, FBI Pittsburgh, the US Attorneys Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.”
Anyone in the public wishing to share information that have can do so by calling 412-323-7800 or sending an email.
___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