A 48-year-old man from Texas, named Grzegorz Vandenberg, who reportedly acquired fireworks from a travel stop in the southern region of New Mexico, has allegedly intended to use these against law enforcement personnel during protests occurring in Los Angeles.
Vandenberg was formally accused of unlawfully transporting explosive materials across state boundaries, with a malicious intention of causing harm, injury, or intimidation to another individual. This charge was levied against him on June 13 at the U.S. District Court of New Mexico. At this time, Vandenberg has not yet been allotted a legal representative.
The protests, which Vandenberg intended to participate in, were incited by several activities conducted by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Hispanic-majority districts within the Los Angeles locale. The actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement led to city-wide outrage, culminating in a series of protests that began on June 6 and subsequently spread throughout the nation.
The majority of protestors took to the streets in a peaceful manner, voicing their concerns and their demands for change. These peaceful forms of protest involved a variety of activities such as carrying placards, vocalizing their discontent in Spanish, and engaging in Mexican folk dance performances.
However, not all protesters made their point peacefully. Some engaged in detrimental and unlawful activities such as pelting objects towards the police, participating in looting, and setting vehicles ablaze.
Based on the allegations leveled against him, it seems Vandenberg had a plan to escalate the tumult by launching fireworks towards the police officers on duty during these protests.
On the afternoon of June 12, around 3:30 p.m., Vandenberg reportedly inquired with a cashier at a travel center in Lordsburg about the most potent fireworks available for purchase that could feasibly be hurled at an individual.
According to reports, he also proceeded to tell the cashier that his background includes services as a specialist officer in the military, and that he possessed the technical knowledge required to manufacture pipe bombs.
The cashier recalled that Vandenberg tried to coax him into joining him and his group in Los Angeles, where he was planning to employ his fireworks as weapons against law enforcement officers in the ongoing protests.
Vandenberg is believed to have purchased a series of incendiary items, including six mortars with each containing 60 grams of gunpowder, and a set of 36 high-impact fireworks.
Following the suspicious purchase, the cashier watched Vandenberg leave the travel center and saw him get into a silver Ford Bronco. Vandenberg was then observed heading westward on Interstate 10.
Thinking quick, the cashier noted down the number on his vehicle’s license plate. This vital information was then shared with the local law enforcement.
A swift pursuit led to Vandenberg’s arrest in Tucson, Arizona, on the subsequent day.
The local U.S. Attorney made a strong statement against Vandenberg’s alleged actions: ‘Using violence against law enforcement isn’t a form of protest — it’s a crime,’ the U.S. Attorney stated. ‘Those who endeavor to inflict harm upon officers or compromise public safety shall face the consequences. Our priorities include preserving the safety of our communities and maintaining the sanctity of peaceful protests. Individuals who choose the path of violence will be prosecuted expediently and to the utmost extent of the law.’
The case is currently pending and will resume once Vandenberg is assigned a legal representative; to date, he has not entered a plea to the charges laid before him by the U.S. District Court of New Mexico.