ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 18: Enrique Tarrio, leader of the Proud Boys, a far-right group, is seen during a ‘Stop the Steal’ rally against the outcome of the US presidential election outside the Georgia State Capitol on November 18, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia
WASHINGTON (FOX 5 DC) – FOX 5 has learned that Enrique Tarrio, leader of Proud Boys, has been arrested in DC
FOX 5’s Evan Lambert reports that Tarrio is facing criminal destruction of property charges in connection with him and said he burned a Black Lives Matter flag that was stolen from a black church during a protest in the district in December is.
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DC police confirmed Monday night that officers have arrested 36-year-old Henry “Enrique” Tarrio, of Miami, Florida.
He is charged with Destruction of property related to an offense that took place on Saturday 12 December 2020 in 900th Street 11th Street, North West.
According to police, Tarrio was in possession of two high-capacity firearms magazines at the time of his arrest. He was also charged with possession of a high-capacity feeding device.
READ MORE: DC church sues proud boys over Black Lives Matter signs vandalism
The Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in DC filed a lawsuit against the Proud Boys and Tarrio earlier Monday, alleging that the group had scaled down its fence and demolished a large Black Lives Matter sign on display.
It was one of two historic Black churches vandalized during the protests.
READ MORE: DC church hangs the Black Lives Matter banner again during protest clashes
“White supremacists, like the Proud Boys, would rather see the country burn than see it united under justice and freedom for all,” said Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Law Committee on Civil Rights under the law, said. “Black churches and other religious institutions have a long and ugly history of being targeted by white supremacists in racist and violent attacks intended to intimidate and create fear. Our lawsuit is aimed at those who engage in such action. “We are proud to represent Metropolitan. AME who has a long history of opposition and hatred and whose courage and determination to fight back is a beacon of hope for the community.”