In Philadelphia last night, numerous stores were looted and property was extensively damaged by large crowds, predominantly comprised of young individuals, according to the police.

Large crowds began converging upon Center City around 8 p.m., as reported by authorities in response to numerous incoming calls received by the police.

During the recent incident, several stores were targeted and vandalized, including the Footlocker and Apple store located near the intersection of 15th and Chestnut streets. Additionally, a Lululemon store in the vicinity was also affected.

According to Acting Police Commissioner John Stanford, the looting that occurred on Tuesday night was unrelated to the earlier peaceful protest following the dismissal of charges against the officer responsible for the shooting of Eddie Irizarry.

Instead, he contended that individuals participating in looting exploited the protest as a pretext for engaging in illicit activities.

Stanford asserted that the events of tonight were unrelated to the protests, emphasizing that they were driven by a group of individuals seeking to exploit the situation for their own unlawful purposes.

Stanford has reported that authorities have made at least 20 apprehensions thus far and have also retrieved two firearms. However, it remains uncertain whether these firearms are related to the incidents of looting.

As of Wednesday morning, authorities were still in the process of assessing the number of businesses impacted, with over 100 juveniles and young adults believed to be involved.

A video captured on a cellphone depicts a group hastily leaving the Apple store after engaging in looting activities.

Police authorities were aware of the potential for such incidents to occur during the protest, hence, as a precautionary measure, they strategically deployed additional personnel in the vicinity to promptly address any untoward circumstances that may arise.

“These were not protesters, these were criminals,” Stanford asserted.

Hakeem Russell, a security guard at Wendy’s, reported that a nearby establishment on Chestnut Street was burglarized, and he himself was subjected to an assault.

“A couple a kids decided they wanted to take full advantage of the unjust shooting that’s happened,” mentioned Russell. “It’s definitely been unrest around here since the verdict.”

In 2020, the police expressed their strong disapproval towards individuals attempting to replicate the challenging events that our city experienced, considering it to be highly reprehensible.

According to the provided parameters, here is the paraphrased text: “A police car sustained damage, but there haven’t been any reported injuries, as confirmed by the police.”

It is imperative for all residents of the city to feel a sense of anger, expressed Stanford.

Throughout the evening, instances of theft occurred in various areas, including Center City, Port Richmond, and Northeast Philadelphia.

Authorities stated that they are of the opinion that groups of individuals engaged in looting activities traveled from one place to another during the night.

In the early hours of Wednesday, Mayor Jim Kenney expressed his gratitude to the police for their unwavering commitment during the night, describing the events that took place as a deeply disturbing showcase of criminal opportunism.

Law enforcement authorities have stated their intention to utilize surveillance footage from the evening to identify and apprehend those individuals involved in the act of looting.

Police have stated that an ongoing investigation is currently taking place.