A popular Philadelphia influencer known as “Meatball” has been arrested and charged after she was accused of emboldening looters while live on social media.
On Tuesday evening, police say Dayjia Blackwell, 21, allegedly used her social media platform to encourage people to loot several locations while engaging in criminal activities herself, according to the district attorney’s office.
The suspect is charged with burglary, conspiracy, criminal trespass, riot, criminal mischief, criminal use of communication facility, receipt of stolen property and disorderly conduct.
Since being detained, she has posted bail and is due in court in October.
Blackwell was arrested on the 5600 block of Rising Sun Avenue after officers spotted her at a local gas station. She is one of 52 people taken into custody by police. Three juveniles were also detained.
“An additional six people were taken into custody following a second night of looting on Wednesday, for a total of 58 arrests so far,” according to a 6 ABC report, which added that “the chaos initially started around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday after numerous 911 calls stated a large group, possibly as many as 100, moving through Center City Philadelphia.”
Police say at least 18 liquor stores were ransacked, prompting the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to close all 48 of its Philadelphia retail locations.
Lululemon, Foot Locker and an Apple store were also broken into.
“Six businesses in a single retail corridor of North Philadelphia were looted, including three pharmacies, a hair salon, a tax preparation company and a cellphone store, according to the North 22nd Street Business Corridor, a business group,” the report reads.
Video has since circulated on social media showing people in masks and hoodies breaking into stores and stealing merchandise. The crimes took place throughout downtown to northeast and west Philadelphia.
No injuries have been reported at the time of this report.
Police say officers will work extended shifts to prepare for any form of looting that may take place throughout the weekend.
