Search continues for those behind May Day riots

More than two months after hundreds of protestors took to the streets of downtown Seattle, police continue to search for those who left a trail of violence and vandalism in their path.

The Seattle Police Department served a search warrant on an apartment with ties to the Occupy Seattle movement Tuesday, proof that the investigation into the May Day riots is still very much active.

“We will continue to do everything we can to identify those people and bring them to justice,” said Detective Jeff Kappel, who called May Day protests the worst riots in the city since W.T.O.

“I don’t think it was lost on any resident of this area the amount of chaos, and havoc and destruction – just a wanton destruction – that we all witnessed that day,” he said.

Immediately following the demonstration, police established a May Day task force, with officers and detectives still dedicated full-time to finding those responsible for property damage and assault. A May Day tip line was also set up, and police sought access to photos and videos taken by citizens and members of the media to help them identify potential suspects.

It was information uncovered by the task force that led a SWAT team to descend on an apartment in the 1100 Block of 29th Avenue South early Tuesday morning, Kappel said.

“I was sleeping and I heard flash bangs, and the door being broken down,” said a woman who was in the residence, but asked that her name be withheld.

The woman said men armed with tactical rifles entered the residence and told the four people inside to “get on the floor.”

After 45 minutes to an hour, she estimated, detectives provided them with a copy of the search warrant and left. They took with them a zip-up sweater, a blue beanie, a pink scarf, a single glove and flyers related to the Occupy movement, the woman said.

Detective Kappel called the evidence that was seized “very valuable,” and said it would be useful in the ongoing investigation.

In a press release, Occupy Seattle claimed that the search warrant specifically stated that officers were to search for “anarchist materials,” although 97.3 KIRO FM was unable to obtain a copy of the search warrant Tuesday afternoon to verify the claim.

Detective Kappel would not comment on whether the search warrant listed such material as being of interest.

The occupant of the home who provided an interview to 97.3 KIRO FM said she has participated in Occupy Seattle events, but said “no comment” when asked whether she participated in the May Day riots. When asked if any of the other occupants of the apartment were tied to the riots, the woman said she “could not speak for them.”

Those with information about the May Day riots are asked to contact the Seattle Police Department’s May Day tip line at (206) 233-2666, or email tips to MayDay2012@Seattle.gov.