Man charged with Pittsburgh vandalism now charged with encouraging rioting in Butler
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A Butler man charged last month for his alleged role in Downtown Pittsburgh vandalism during a protest now faces charges in his home county alleging he encouraged others on social media to rob, loot and riot at a Diamond Park protest.
Jordan Erdos, 20, allegedly used social media in the lead up to a May 31 protest to encourage violence, according to Butler City police. Authorities said Erdos posted the time and place of the demonstration and further encouraged: “We loot we rob we set (expletive) on fire we do what we have to to noticed (sic).”
The May 31 Diamond Park protest started peacefully but ended with eight arrests for aggravated assault, riot, reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct, police said.
Erdos was charged June 25 with riot, reckless endangerment, aggravated assault and disorderly conduct for allegedly vandalizing a marked Pittsburgh police cruiser during a Black Lives Matter protest May 30.
Pittsburgh police said Erdos was caught on video punching and kicking the SUV and then striking another man in front of PPG Paints Arena. Video also allegedly showed him breaking the window of a Fine Wine & Good Spirits store and trying unsuccessfully to break another. Police said he also threw a water bottle at officers on Fifth Avenue.
During an interview with investigators, Erdos said he went Downtown “to just be part of the protest against the police but got caught up in the emotions,” according to the criminal complaint.