Police arrested 17 pro-Trayvon Martin so-called protesters in Victorville, Calif., after a mob attempted to storm a shopping mall and a group of youths opened items at a gas station and left without paying.
The majority of the arrests were for unlawful assembly and eight who were arrested were under the age of 18, according to a law enforcement spokesperson.
The unrest in California has been raging for nearly a week following the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
Aaron Wilson, 21, chants his slogans while marching down the street during a demonstration in reaction to the acquittal of neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman on Wednesday, July 17, 2013, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Credit: AP
Protesters chant their slogans during a demonstration in reaction to the acquittal of neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman on Wednesday, July 17, 2013, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Credit: AP
Protesters chant their slogans through the window of an Audi dealership while marching down the street during a demonstration in reaction to the acquittal of neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman on Wednesday, July 17, 2013, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Credit: AP
Protesters march down the street during a demonstration in reaction to the acquittal of neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman on Wednesday, July 17, 2013, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Credit: AP
Cindy Bachman, spokeswoman for the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner, told NBC Los Angeles that a "large group" of protesters gathered in a mall parking lot and attempted to storm the mall. They were unsuccessful because security guards had locked down the building.
Officers gave a dispersal order over loudspeakers and then arrested seven people who failed to obey the order.
The other group of 10-15 "juveniles" reportedly entered a Chevron gas station where they opened items and left without paying, which is the same as theft.
There were no immediate reports of injuries or property damage.
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