RICHMOND, Va. -- Police arrested a man during a protest in downtown Richmond after officers saw him throw a traffic cone at a moving truck on West Broad Street, according to the Richmond Police Department. It was one of "several arrests" police made Thursday night.
"At approximately 9:30 p.m., a few dozen protesters – led by the group “Black Lives Matter 757” – assembled nearby at the Stuart Circle. They marched alongside several protest support vehicles for approximately an hour before the vehicles drove into oncoming traffic at E Broad and N 9th streets," a Richmond Police spokesperson wrote in an email. "During that encounter, RPD officers wrote 10 summonses for various traffic offenses to include reckless driving and served two outstanding misdemeanor warrants."
Members of the group, according to police, continued marching through downtown Richmond.
"At approximately 11:30 p.m., RPD officers observed Kevin M. Beecher throw a traffic cone at an occupied tractor trailer, traveling through the intersection of W Broad and N Henry streets," the police email continued. "The cone damaged the windshield. Beecher then fled on foot, which resulted in a short pursuit. He was apprehended a block away at W Broad and N Monroe streets."
Beecher was charged with inciting a riot, throwing a missile at an occupied vehicle, destruction of property, and pedestrian in roadway, according to Richmond Police.
A second man, identified by police as Stephen Ward, was charged with carrying a concealed weapon.
Ward was released on a summons.
