Retired firefighter Robert Sanford is accused of throwing a fire extinguisher at police officers in the Capitol

CHESTER, Pennsylvania – A retired Pennsylvania firefighter is accused of being the man seen in a video throwing a fire extinguisher that hit three police officers at the Capitol during the riot in Washington, DC last week.

Robert Sanford, 55, of Chester, was arrested Thursday morning on four federal charges, including knowingly entering a restricted building, disorderly conduct on the Capitol site, civil disorder and assaulting officers performing their official duties.

According to the indictment, the extinguisher jumped off the head of three officers, two of whom were wearing helmets.

According to the documents, Sanford, 55, traveled to the Capitol by bus with other people. He told a friend when he returned home that he had been on the scene for ten minutes before leaving, but did not say that he had thrown anything at officers.

Sanford was identified after a longtime friend of his contacted the FBI in Pennsylvania and said Sanford recognizes photos posted by the FBI.

According to the friend, Sanford “went to the White House and listened to President Donald J. Trump’s speech and then followed the president’s instructions and went to the Capitol. ‘

Sanford appeared in federal court in Pennsylvania on Thursday afternoon for an initial appearance. He has been released and will remain in custody for the US Marshals until he is transferred to Washington, DC.

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The defense argued that Sanford was not a flight hazard or a danger to the community, noting that he had no previous arrests, was married and had three children.

The defense added that the allegations that he traveled to DC to commit crimes are inaccurate and that he is not part of extremist groups.

Prosecutors disputed the claim, saying authorities found a T-shirt associated with the far-right group Proud Boys at Sanford’s home after carrying out a search warrant.

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Chester Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland said that although Sanford wore a hat with the fire department logo on it, he was not a current Chester City employee.

Sanford was a member of the Chester Fire Department from January 1994 to February 2020.

The assault on the video is separate from the ongoing investigation into the death of Brian Sicknick, Capitol police officer, who was allegedly hit in the head during the riot.