Just over a month after a masked mob wrought destruction on Locke Street in Hamilton, police have announced an arrest in the case.
At a press conference on Friday, Hamilton police announced a 31-year-old Hamilton resident has been charged with conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.
A suspect police identified as Peter Hopperton was arrested after a search warrant was executed in the area of Cannon and Hess Streets on Friday morning.
“The information provided by the public and the work of our investigators led to today’s arrest,” Hamilton police deputy chief Dan Kinsella said. “I would encourage the public to continue to report any information.”
Police identified Hopperton as the operator of The Tower, a Hamilton anarchist collective and space.
Kinsella could not say whether police believed Hopperton was present during the incident and declined to explain what role the suspect allegedly had.
“We believe that he obviously was taking part in the incident,” he said. “Further evidence on the exact details of what that part played will be put forth in evidence before the courts.”
WATCH: Man arrested in connection to Locke Street incident has ties to the Tower: Hamilton police
On the night of March 3, about 30 people were spotted marching in all black with their faces covered and carrying a banner that read, “We Are The Ungovernable.”
The group eventually dispersed after damaging several storefronts and vehicles, setting off fireworks and throwing rocks. At the time, police estimated the damage at $100,000.
The incident set off a flood of support for businesses in the Durand neighbourhood, which culminated in an event called Love Locke Day on March 10.
Police later said the mischief was linked to an anarchist book fair at Westdale Secondary School that had occurred that weekend. That event was organized by the Tower. Their space on Cannon Street has since been the target of vandalism.
WATCH: Hamilton police make arrest in connection with Locke Street vandalism. Mark Carcasole reports.
READ MORE: Hamilton community comes together for #LoveLockeDay, one week after vandals targeted street
The group has denied involvement in the incident, but said it had “zero tears to shed” for the upscale Locke Street neighbourhood and its boutiques.
“We feel that a single family being evicted is far worse than everything that happened on Locke St., even if you believe that running luxury businesses is a neutral act,” the Tower stated in a Facebook post on March 7.
Hopperton was arrested in the Toronto G20 riots in 2010 and pleaded guilty to one count of counselling mischief the following year.
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Police said Hopperton is scheduled to appear in court on Friday. The investigation is ongoing and police are asking anyone with information to come forward.
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