Crown Point man accused of flipping off, fighting police in Jan. 6 attack
A Crown Point man has been charged in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol after investigators say he pushed and fought against officers among the crush of people on the federal grounds that day.
Gregory Mijares, 41, faces a felony civil disorder charge and two misdemeanor counts of entering a restricted building and disorderly conduct in a restricted building in the riot, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Friday.
According to a criminal complaint filed in the United States District Court – District of Columbia, Mijares was seen on surveillance footage and body camera video entering the Capitol grounds donning a gas mask. He made his way to the Lower West Terrace while pursuing retreating police officers, records state.
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As the officers tried to fall back, Mijares stood in their way and raised a flag over his head. A physical altercation ensued when police tried to move Mijares out of the way, the complaint says.
Capitol surveillance footage then showed Mijares was among one of the first rioters to pursue police into the tunnel. He entered the archway about 2:41 p.m., the complaint states, and approached a set of glass doors. Rioters smashed one of the panes moments later.
Mijares flipped off the officers and pulled open the broken glass door, ushering others in, documents allege. He then came upon a second set of doors, once again pulling one open for other rioters.
At that point, police tried to push Mijares back with a riot shield, and he slammed his body against it. Other rioters then swarmed Mijares and the officer as the stand-off continued.
An officer struck Mijares with a baton, which he blocked and grabbed.
Investigators in the complaint said he stayed at the front of the line of rioters, pushing against police, for roughly four minutes. He left the tunnel about 2:52 p.m. Approximately 20 minutes later, he returned and joined in a coordinated push against police officers for several minutes.
Later, he helped other rioters pass riot shields that had been taken from police. The complaint states he then participated in another push against the line of police before making his way to the tunnel entrance.
He left about 3:19 p.m., records state.
Mijares was arrested in Crown Point earlier Friday and later made his first court appearance regarding the charges.
Contact reporter Sarah Nelson at 317-503-7514 or sarah.nelson@indystar.com
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Crown Point man accused of shoving, flipping off police in Jan. 6 riot
