Atlanta resident accused of torching police motorcycles in 2023 attack linked to 'Cop City' protests

Opponents of the Public Safety Training Center clash with police near the "Cop City" construction site on Nov. 13, 2023. (Matthew Pearson/WABE)

Atlanta Police arrested and charged a person they allege set fire to a police precinct last July that destroyed several motorcycles.

At a press conference Thursday morning, Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said he anticipates this is the first arrest of many related to about 30 fires at police and construction facilities police allege are connected to opposition of the city’s public safety training center.

“You can chant all day long, ‘If you build it, we will burn it,'” Schierbaum said. “But if you set police cars on fire, we will find you and arrest you.”