A man described by authorities as a “violent Antifa member,” who was allegedly using a flamethrower, smoke grenades, and fireworks to incite riots in Wisconsin, reportedly “dropped into the fetal position and began crying” when he was caught by police.
23-year-old Matthew Banta of Neenah, WI was arrested after he was chased down by police during a demonstration in Green Bay.
Banta is well known by law enforcement as “a violent Antifa member who incites violence in otherwise relatively peaceful protests.”
He was one of four individuals swept up while heading toward a protest with baseball bats, according to ABC2.
Green Bay police say they were called for “a whole bunch of white people with sticks, baseball bats and helmets headed… towards the police” on Walnut St. near Webster Ave, the outlet reported.
A responding officer says he saw four individuals walking toward a protest with baseball bats, wearing a metal helmet with goggles and military-style gear with multiple pouches, and carrying an Antifa flag.
When the officer pulled his squad car in front of the group, they ran away, ABC2 added.
The officer caught Banta, who was carrying the flag, and says Banta “dropped into the fetal position and began crying.”
He accused the officer of lying on him; the officer replied nobody was on him.
Banta claims he wasn’t planning to incite a riot (with his flamethrower, smoke grenade, and fireworks), according to Zero Hedge.
Then the WEAK SAUCE Portland Police apologized and Gave him his Flamethrower BACK !