A Galesburg man arrested in Chicago over the weekend had homemade bombs in his car and had been seen on videos posted on the internet participating in the looting and rioting in Minneapolis and Chicago, according to federal charges filed Monday. According to the Chicago Tribune, 28-year-old Matthew Rupert was charged in U.S. District Court in Minnesota with inciting a riot and possession of an explosive device, court records show.
According to the complaint, on Thursday, Rupert posted a two-hour livestreamed video of himself participating in the protests and violence that erupted in Minneapolis. On Saturday, Rupert posted a message saying he was on his way to Chicago. Two hours later, he began posting multiple videos of himself participating in violent acts downtown, including looting from a convience store.
Rupert was arrested by Chicago police early Sunday after allegedly violating the mayor’s emergency curfew order. Police found several homemade explosive devices in his car, according to a seven-page criminal complaint. Officers also found a hammer, a “heavy-duty” flashlight and cash.
