Man tried recruiting protesters to help him burn down Lancaster station: police

Gerald Grauert

Gerald Grauert is accused of asking protesters in Lancaster on Sun., May 31, 2020 to help him burn down the city's police station later that night.

A 35-year-old man walked through a crowd of protesters in Lancaster on Sunday, trying to find people who’d be willing to help him burn down the city’s police station, authorities said.

According to the Lancaster Bureau of Police, 35-year-old Gerald Nuevo Grauert approached protesters speaking out against the death of George Floyd, and asked they meet him at the station later that night. He said to bring gas and other flammable items, police said.

Authorities said there were protesters gathered on the first block of West Chestnut Street at North Prince Street at the time. Others participated in a caravan that drove by the police station.

Grauert was identified after photos of him at the protest circulated online.

He was arrested Thursday morning during a traffic stop on the 800 block of East King Street.

Grauert is charged with criminal solicitation to commit arson, riots and institutional vandalism.

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