Suspects Protesting Berkeley Group Arrested In Robes, Masks: Cops

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Four people — including at least one Berkeley resident — wearing hooded black robes and Guy Fawkes-style masks were arrested Friday night on suspicion of multiple charges after showing up at Westminster Woods camp to protest a group staying at the property in the Sonoma County community of Occidental, according to a spokesperson for the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office.

"These protesters were not peaceful, were arrested for multiple crimes, and caused fear and anxiety amongst the children and adults at the camp," Sheriff's Spokeswoman Misti Wood said.

Deputies were initially dispatched around 3:40 p.m. Friday in response to a call about unwanted people at the camp in the 6500 block of Bohemian Highway.

"The suspects had blocked both entrances to the camp with vehicles, preventing anyone from leaving," Wood said. "One person was reported to have a gun."

Deputies arrived and detained a man who did not have any weapons and claimed to be a reporter.

Law enforcement soon saw three people wearing robes and Anonymous-style masks, and decided to detain the trio because of the report of someone with a gun, Wood said.

The suspects are accused of not following basic orders, and yelling when they were placed in handcuffs.

As a fourth person also wearing a robe and a mask was detained, the suspects reportedly continued to be uncooperative with deputies.

"They were all wearing black-hooded robes, black gloves, black silicone shoe covers and anonymous-style masks," Wood said. "Two were carrying walkie-talkie radios, one was wearing a body-worn camera, and one was carrying pepper spray."

When deputies found fliers about the protest and a written-out plan, Wood said they determined the incident was a protest against the Center for Applied Rationality, a Berkeley-based group whose members were staying at the camp.

More deputies arrived at the scene, as did SWAT team members and the sheriff's Henry-1 helicopter crew.

Law enforcement began searching the grounds of Westminster Woods in order to camp personnel and members of the targeted group to safety, according to Wood.

California Highway Patrol officers also responded and closed Bohemian Highway and helped with the search.

According to sheriff's officials, the protesters blocked the driveways of the camp with a small bus and a box truck, and parked a Toyota Prius near the main office. The sheriff's bomb squad responded and searched the vehicles for explosives. The vehicles, all determined to be safe, were towed from the camp.

An estimated 50 people were evacuated and driven to the Occidental Fire Department in a school bus.

"Deputies found people throughout the camp in open areas and buildings and began evacuating them from the property," Wood said. "SWAT safely evacuated approximately 36 people who were sheltered in place in the armored rescue vehicle known as the Bearcat."

SWAT team members also systematically searched the property but did not find the reported person with a gun.

The five people detained were taken to the sheriff's office to be interviewed.

"The four suspects dressed in robes continued to be uncooperative and would not fully identify themselves," Wood said.

The person who initially claimed to be a reporter was not suspected of committing any crimes and was released, according to Wood.

The four people arrested were later identified through fingerprints as: Jack Lasota, 28, of Berkeley; Gwen Danielson, 25, transient; Emma Borhanian, 28, of Albany; and Alexander Leatham, 24, unknown city of residence.

All four were arrested on suspicion of felony child endangerment, felony false imprisonment, felony conspiracy, misdemeanor resisting arrest, wearing a mask while committing a crime, and trespassing.

Bail was set at $50,000 for each of the four suspects.

Monday evening, Lasota, Leatham and Danielson were still in custody.

Borhanian was released after posting bail.

Wood noted that the sheriff's office supports people exercising their rights to peacefully protest.

"We sincerely appreciate the camp staff being alert and calling the Sheriff's Office right away," Wood said, noting that the entire incident lasted about four hours. "This allowed us to respond early in the incident, before things escalated."