Trio sought in vandalism surrender to police

Three men wanted in connection with a masked mob that vandalized Locke Street in March have turned themselves in to police.

Matthew Lowell-Pelletier, 31, David Prychitka, 34, and Alexander Balch, 34, all from Hamilton, turned themselves in at Hamilton police headquarters between 2:45 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. Monday, police said.

Hamilton police released the names and photos of the men during a news conference Friday, where they announced what Chief Eric Girt called a “significant breakthrough” in the investigation into the March 3 violence that caused about $100,000 damage to cars and businesses. Balch, a local tenants’ rights activist, faces charges of unlawful assembly while masked and mischief over $5,000. LowellPelletier faces charges of unlawful assembly while masked and mischief over $5,000. He was also wanted on a separate charge for alleged mischief related to vandalism on Barton Street. Prychitka faces charges of unlawful assembly while masked, mischief over $5,000 and counsel unlawful assembly while masked. He has protested against oil pipelines in the past.

Police also announced on Friday they had arrested and charged Jack Duckworth, 23, from Hamilton, Tammy Kovich, 32, from Hamilton and Tyler Nadeau, 26, from Montreal. Duckworth was released on bail Friday.

All are alleged to be tied to the anarchist collective The Tower. Police have not said what role each party is alleged to have taken in the vandalism, but the charges reflect that the six are believed to have taken part in the masked mob. About 30 people marched down Locke throwing rocks at windows and setting off fireworks, carrying a sign that read, “We are the ungovernable.”

Cedar Hopperton, 31, formerly known as Peter, was arrested in April and charged with conspiracy to commit an indictable offence. He was granted bail in May.