MORE than 30 alleged Patriot Front members have been arrested near a Pride event after being seen jumping into a Uhaul with masks and shields.
Kootenai County officials provided an update at 4.30pm local time, but called the situation “very, very fresh.”
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Coeur d’Alene Police Chief Lee White said at about 1.38pm this afternoon, they received a phone call from a concerned citizen who saw about 20 people wearing masks and with shields jumping into a Uhaul truck.
Authorities would later find that the men were also equipped with shin guards and riot gear, including at least one smoke grenade.
White said the citizen told them the group “looked like a little army.”
At a traffic stop conducted by police almost 10 minutes later, 31 people were detained.
Officials said they are all being charged with conspiracy to riot.
It was also noted that the individuals looked to be affiliated with the Patriot Front.
“Everyone was dressed exactly the same,” White said, noting that there was at least one person wearing a patch that said “Patriot Front.”
White said that additional information was found during the investigation indicating that the group had plans to riot beyond the pride event.
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“We’ve not completed booking of all 31 individuals,” White said, noting that some individuals could face additional charges.
The people detained were from Idaho, Texas, Utah, South Dakota, Illinois, Arkansas, Wyoming, Washington, Oregon, and Virginia, among other states.
“It is clear … that they came to riot downtown,” White said.
“That’s why they’ve been booked appropriately for conspiracy to riot.”
No information was available regarding whether any firearms were found.
Pride in the Park, North Idaho Pride Alliance’s signature annual event, was being held at the Coeur d’Alene City Park and Bandshell.
Over 1,000 people were expected to attend, according to the event’s website.
Officials said they had stepped up security after monitoring possible threats against the event.
Partner agencies, including the FBI, have also been in contact with local officials as the situation continues to unfold.
But officials also said the event was “relatively uneventful overall.”
Officials speaking Saturday afternoon did not expect additional information regarding the incident to come out before Monday.
Coeur d’Alene is a city located in northwest Idaho.
The Patriot Front is a white nationalist group that emerged after the “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.
The group stems from Vanguard America, which participated in the August 12, 2017 rally that left one woman dead and 19 others injured.
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