2 arrested at pro-Palestinian demonstration at Stanford mall for allegedly vandalizing stores, injuring officer
Two people at a pro-Palestinian demonstration at Stanford Shopping Center were arrested for vandalizing two stores and injuring an officer in their attempt to flee, police and published reports said.
Palo Alto police said officers were monitoring a demonstration on Oct. 7 at the mall at about 6 p.m. when they saw a female demonstrator use spray paint to write graffiti on the front windows of an Apple Store. Palo Alto Online reported the demonstration involved about two dozen protesters marching through the shopping center and chanting pro-Palestinian slogans while waving Palestinian flags.
Police said shortly after observing the Apple Store vandalism, a witness told officers the same suspect had spray-painted graffiti on the front windows of a nearby Sephora store.
According to a police press statement, when officers attempted to detain her, she ran from officers and tried to get into the passenger seat of a waiting vehicle occupied by a male driver. When an officer tried to pull the female suspect from the open car door, the driver abruptly pulled away from the curb and slammed the officer's hand in the door, knocked him to the ground, and ran over his foot, police said.
The vehicle was able to elude capture and the officer was treated at a hospital for moderate injuries to his hand and foot. Police said the damage to the vandalized storefronts was estimated to exceed $1,000.
The female suspect was identified as 26-year-old Fatima Yahyaa of Berkeley. She was located later that night in Berkeley and arrested with the help of Berkeley PD, police said.
The male suspect was identified as 25-year-old Berkeley resident True Brading. Police obtained a warrant and with the help of the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office, detectives arrested Brading Thursday night in El Sobrante.
Yahyaa was booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail for felony vandalism, conspiracy, and resisting arrest with violence, as well as misdemeanor resisting arrest. Brading was also booked on felony assault with a deadly weapon and conspiracy charges and misdemeanor resisting arrest.
Police said during the demonstration, a counter-demonstrator reported that his Israeli flag had been taken from him. No suspect was identified and police are investigating that incident as a hate crime. The flag theft was not believed to be connected to the suspects arrested for the vandalism and assault.