By Lookout Staff

June 30, 2020 -- Police are looking for a suspect involved in setting a police car on fire during violent protests in Santa Monica May 31.

The unmarked SMPD Ford Crown Victoria was parked at the loading dock of the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium at around 5:05 p.m. when it was "vandalized and, ultimately, set on fire," police said.

The FBI is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the suspect's arrest, police said.

Suspect wanted iin police car fire (Courtesy SMPD)

The unknown suspect is described as a White male in his mid-20s with a thin build, red or blonde hair and a reddish beard.

"He has an unknown tattoo on his upper left arm and a stud earing in his left ear," police said.

He was wearing a gray short-sleeved t-shirt, green pants, brown dress shoes and a bandana with the American flag printed on it worn over his face.

He had on aviator-style sunglasses, a black and white baseball hat worn backwards with “DONPISTO” logo on front and an analog watch on his left wrist.

The unmarked police car was one of four vehicles, four structures and a dumpster burned in Santa Monica during the protests and looting Sunday, May 31, according to fire officials.

Law enforcement made 438 arrests that Sunday and 41 on Monday for looting, violating curfew, burglary and assault ("Santa Monica Demonstration Turns Violent, Looters Ransack Stores," June 1, 2020).

Damage assessments found that 225 Santa Monica businesses had general damage, such as visible broken windows and doors, and 76 had "visible evidence of looting."

There was graffiti damage on 121 buildings, 48 had other "vandalization" and ten had fire or smoke damage. On June 3, the LA County District Attorney announced charges against 61 people arrested for crimes committed during the protests that began in the LA area on May 29 ("Santa Monica Won't Press Charges Against 'Peaceful Protesters,'" June 8, 2020). Most of the charges filed were for looting. Other charges included assault and/or battery upon a peace officer, robbery, burglary, possession of a destructive device, identity theft and receiving stolen property, the DA's office said.

Of those being prosecuted, 17 were charged at the Airport Branch Court, which covers some of the western portions of Los Angeles County, including Santa Monica and Beverly Hills, according to the DA's office.

On June 18, Santa Monica police announced the arrest of Amanda Toyono Van Duyse, 31, of Los Angeles for her part in the looting May 31.

Van Duyse was arrested for burglary, grand theft and burglary during an emergency ("Police Arrest Suspect in May 31 Looting Spree," June 18, 2020).

Those with information regarding the arson suspect should call Detective Zamfirov at (310) 458-8398 or email peter.zamfirov@smgov.net.

Tips can also be submitted to crimetips@smgov.net or by calling the Watch Commander (24 hours) at (310) 458-8491.