Police arrest two men at St. Cloud protest after blocking roadways, assaulting officer

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  • St. Cloud police arrested two men at protest.
    St. Cloud police arrested two men at protest.
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By Brian McBride

Editor

The St. Cloud Police Department arrested two men on Sunday during a protest after they blocked a roadway and assaulted a law enforcement officer.

According to a St. Cloud police report, at about 4 p.m., 40 to 50 demonstrators gathered at OP Johnson Park, 300 Georgia Ave. Shortly after, the demonstrators walked into the roadway, linked arms are prevented motorists in the area from driving past.

An argument then started between the protestors and the motorists and a fight ensued between the two groups, the report stated.

Police officers arrived and both groups were separated. One woman suffered a foot injury, but refused medical attention.

The protestors then walked to 13th Street and Montana Avenue, where some individuals blocked the roadway, with some attempting to use their vehicles.  Some individuals threw smoke bombs into the roadway, “creating a disorderly and dangerous situation in the roadway,” the report stated.

St. Cloud police responded to the area and warned the protestors numerous times to leave. After they failed to leave and continued to be aggressive, officers used “crowd dispersing measures,” the report stated.

Warren Cajuste, 23, was arrested and charged with resisting/obstructing without violence and obstructing a highway.

Patrick Chery , 24, was arrested and charged with resisting/obstructing without violence, obstructing a highway and assault on a law enforcement officer. Both were booked into the Osceola County Jail.

The protesters returned to OP Johnson Park at about 8 p.m. and left.

The police report did not state what the protest was about.

“The St. Cloud Police Department is committed to ensuring everyone’s safety as demonstrators exercise their rights, but caution that illegal and dangerous activity will not be tolerated,” an agency press release stated.