Police: Assault (punching two protesters) unrelated to (OWS) protest

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Omaha World Herald-AP

DES MOINES, Iowa — Police say an assault at an Occupy Iowa camp-out in Des Moines was a random act unrelated to the nationwide protest movement.

Sgt. Jeff Phillips says three or four young men saw the group gathered at Stuart Square Park early Sunday morning and decided to cause trouble. He says the park isn’t in the best part of the city.

Daniel Braggs, a spokesman for the group camping at the park, said that the men entered the camp about 2:30 a.m. and started a fight, punching two protesters and asking for money.

Police confirmed that two people suffered minor injuries. No arrests were made.


Read more: http://www.omaha.com/article/20111016/NEWS01/111019792/1009#police-assault-unrelated-to-protest

[ixion]

1. "No arrests were made."

Interesting. Because apparently punching people and demanding money is okay?

[iamthebandfanman]

2. i know right?

oh, arrests are made because people are just standing/sitting there..

but if u wanna rob or hurt people there, have at it!

[Journeyman]

3. Probably because there was no one *to* arrest. . .

People who randomly assault strangers and demand their money rarely wait around to shoot the breeze with the police.

[ixion]

4. so, with all the people in the park, there was no police presence?

No video or security cameras anywhere?

you'll pardon me if I'm skeptical.

[TheWraith]

5. How many police do you think they have in Des Moines?

Enough to be doing everything they normally do, and watching every inch of the protests with enough force to catch someone running away?