THE ILLINOIS STATE POLICE SAYS SOME OF THE LOOTING AND CRIMINAL DAMAGE OCCURRING IN DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES IS BEING ORGANIZED BY GROUPS OF YOUNG ADULTS.

I-S-P DIRECTOR BRENDAN KELLY SAYS THEY’VE DISCOVERED A PATTERN OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS. GROUPS OF PEOPLE AGE 17 TO 25 SEEM TO BE COMMUNICATING ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND TARGETING SPECIFIC BUSINESSES.

KELLY SAYS THEY’VE SEEN THIS PLAY OUT IN CHAMPAIGN, AURORA AND OTHER AREAS, WITH SOME GROUPS TRAVELING AROUND TO DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES.

KELLY SAYS SOME OF THEM ARE THEN LOOTING STORES, TRYING TO SET FIRES AND DAMAGING PROPERTY. OFFICIALS DO NOT THINK THERE IS A MAIN PERSON OR LARGE ORGANIZATION DRIVING THESE SMALL GROUPS.