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

February 8th, 2024

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.”

Several law enforcement agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Atlanta Fire and Rescue, Georgia State Patrol, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, joined Atlanta police during a 6 a.m. search of three locations.

Officers also had warrants to arrest 30-year-old John Robert Mazurek, who was charged with first-degree arson.

Officials from these agencies have partnered with Crimestoppers to find information about the fires and vandalism related to the training facility.

The $200,000 award is one of the highest awards for information in recent history. According to Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, the training facility is around 70% done.