Anti-Trump protester accused of trashing CHP cruiser, urging others to vandalize
Protests erupted along the street outside the Pacific Amphitheater in Costa Mesa where Donald Trump held a rally Thursday.
The Orange County district attorney filed charges Monday against a 19-year-old man who was arrested during the demonstrations that turned violent after a Donald Trump rally in Costa Mesa.
Luis Fernando Alarcon, a car detailer, was charged with one felony count of vandalism causing damage of $400 or more and one misdemeanor count of inciting a riot, according to a criminal complaint.
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Alarcon, a resident of Anaheim, was demonstrating Thursday night when he and several protesters marched south on Newport Boulevard toward the entrance of the 55 Freeway. A California Highway Patrol officer in a cruiser managed to gain access to the entrance to block the crowd from entering the freeway while a second officer responded to the area. Prosecutors say Alarcon walked about 12 to 15 feet of the second officer’s vehicle, yelled an obscenity and hurled what appeared to be a rock or roof tile at the cruiser, causing damage.
The demonstrations outside the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa blocked traffic and caused tense moments. Some protesters performed screeching burnouts in their cars or did doughnuts at intersections. Others kicked at and punched approaching vehicles, shouting expletives. Ranchera and hip-hop music was blasted throughout the streets. At least 17 people were arrested. Charges against the others are still pending.
Alarcon, who pleaded not guilty, remains in Orange County jail in lieu of $20,000 bail, according to jail records.
Trump also faced large and hostile demonstrations at the Burlingame hotel, where he delivered a speech to the California Republican Convention on Friday.
The billionaire businessman is leading in several polls of California Republican voters. But his outspoken comments about people in the country illegally and his advocacy for a border wall have sparked a backlash by younger Latinos.
Twitter: @LATvives
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