Ray Ruberg said more than 65 people had been injured in the violent demonstrations since Tuesday afternoon, and nearly 40 people had been arrested. Police in riot gear fired bean bags, rubber bullets and tear gas at rioters. There's a great deal of frustration within the community, which is understandable. Demonstrators broke into small groups, and some set trash bins ablaze in a neighborhood bordering downtown Cincinnati. By early Wednesday morning there had been at least 39 arrests associated with the demonstrations and violence, according to Cincinnati police.
Charges range from looting and disorderly conduct to inciting a riot and theft.
Ruberg said police had put in place civil disturbance procedures before the Tuesday night riots had broken out, and more police officers were on the streets. Thomas was wanted for a variety of minor misdemeanors, such as not wearing a seat belt. The unrest began Monday night, when demonstrators broke out 28 windows at Cincinnati's City Hall. Tuesday's demonstrators never made it to City Hall, where police ringed the building with shields. The FBI opened a preliminary civil rights investigation in Thomas' case Tuesday after talking with the chief of police, said FBI spokesman Ed Boldt.