Atascadero man arrested for shattering glass on a child

October 17, 2020

Robert “Tony” Lastra

By KAREN VELIE

CHP officers arrested an Atascadero man Friday who allegedly smashed a car window onto a 4-year-old boy during a protest in San Luis Obispo on July 21. Prosecutors have charged eight protesters for a variety of alleged criminal acts during that Black Lives Matter protest.

Officers booked 21-year-old Robert “Tony” Lastra into the San Luis Obispo County Jail on a felony charge of vandalism and a misdemeanor charge of false imprisonment. Lastra was then released on zero bail.

Shortly after 5 p.m. on July 21, approximately 300 protesters marched onto Highway 101, blocking all lanes in both directions for nearly an hour. While on the freeway, protesters encircled a motorist who was attempting to drive around the protestors.

“One suspect jumped on the hood of the victim’s vehicle and an additional suspect broke the rear window out of the vehicle with a skateboard as the vehicle was leaving the area,” according to the CHP.

Robert “Tony” Lastra dancing at the protest

Glass shattered on the 4-year-old boy who was sitting in the back seat.

After reviewing video of the incident, it took several months for law enforcement to identify the alleged assailants. Prosecutors filed misdemeanor charges of vandalism and false imprisonment against Jerad Hill, 27; and three misdemeanor charges of false imprisonment against Sam Grocott, 25, on Friday.

Protesters claim the car hit Grocott as the driver attempted to drive away, tossing Grocott on the hood of the car prompting Lastra to break the back window of the vehicle.

Earlier on Friday, prosecutors filed four misdemeanor charges against Marcus Montgomery, 24, including false imprisonment, obstructing the free movement of any person in a public place, and resisting or delaying a police officer. Also, Joshua Powell, 23, is charged with obstructing or delaying an officer and Amman Asfaw, 22, is charged with  false imprisonment.

Tianna Arata standing on a highway barrier

Tianna Arata, one of the protest organizers, is charged with one count of unlawful assembly, one count of disturbing the peace, six counts of obstruction of a thoroughfare, and five counts of false imprisonment.

During Arata’s arrest, Elias Bautista yelled at an officer before kicking him in the crotch. Prosecutors charged Bautista with one felony count of resisting an executive officer by force or violence and two misdemeanor counts of resisting, obstructing, or delaying a peace officer for his acts committed against three individual peace officers.

Following Friday’s filings, multiple supporters of the protesters accused the SLO County District Attorney’s Office of racism because four of the eight people charged are black.

District Attorney Dan Dow said that the color of a person’s skin had nothing to do with the charges filed.

“We don’t file based on age, gender or race,” Dow said. “We look at the evidence.”

On Sept. 17, Arata’s attorney Patrick Fisher filed a motion to have her charges dismissed, asserting her actions are protected under the First Amendment and that she is a victim of targeting. The motion also questioned why Arata was the only person charged when approximately 300 people participated in the march onto the highway.

In a response filed on Oct. 14, the district attorney argues freedom to protest does not permit the protesters to infringe on the rights of others. In addition, the filing notes that prosecutors have video evidence of 12 of the 13 charges filed against Arata.

“Freedom of speech through lawful protest is a fundamental right in our Constitution, but that speech or protest cannot stand when it violates the laws, and liberty of others through unlawful assembly, detention, obstruction and harassment of others,” according to the pleading. “We remain sworn and committed to not let bias, sympathy, prejudice, or public opinion influence our assessment of the evidence.”


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White Punks On Dope.


No bail, misdemeanors. For physically attacking people minding their own business trying to drive on the freeway. No wonder more and more people just hit the gas, they know nothing will happen to these rioters.


I am thrilled, but somewhat amazed, that they appear to be enforcing the laws in this county. Thank you.


These young people have no clue about life. All they know is living off their parents money. They claim First Amendment rights, yet have no clue about what the First Amendment is about. They care only about themselves and don’t care who they hurt. These terrorists are the reason I now carry protection. I will use it if my family is threatened.


At least we know the identity of another criminal in addition to Tiana Arata. Does he get SLO liberal white guilt victim status as well? If so why? He’s a white punk on dope.


“Don’t ruin the kids life…”


Why not? After all, he ruined a 4-yr. old boy’s life. He’s an urban terrorist.


And, oh, yeah- he’s not a “kid.” He’s 21-yrs. old- he’s a legal adult. Time for him to learn about growing up and acting like an adult and taking responsibility for his actions and behavior.


Good, some accountability for criminality!


Don’t ruin the kids life but teach him a lesson judge. Perhaps, cleaning public toilets for six months?


And maybe a psa on the proper way to wear a mask.


I would agree with you if that’s the kind of punishment they dished out. But it’s not, our justice system is ALL ABOUT ruining lives, instead of compensating victims and teaching responsibility. That’s the problem with it. It’s not about justice, it’s about vengeance and creating more problems.. It’s a self-perpetuating beast.


mkaney, although restitution has a role as well, the justice system is also about punishing, incapacitating, and deterring crime/criminals. Teaching responsibility?? Sorry, that was your parent’s job, not the governments. You’re an adult, act like it.


You can’t be serious. Our justice system here in CA is probably the most lenient in the country…AB109, prop 47, prop 57, zero bail. Punishment is rarely received unless you are a multiple offender. This state has decriminalized our society, which has contributed to the chaotic situation we are in.


He attacked innocent people, he’s ruined his own life!


If the kid’s life gets ruined, it is his own fault, not the fault of our justice system. If the kid is sincere the judge will go easy on him, if not I hope the judge educates him about consequences of ones actions.


I hope the get the fullest punishment possible for their crimes. They need to learn accountability, and responsibility for their uncivil actions. Its not okay to threaten injury to individuals, or the destruction of private property. Their very lucky no injuries came to the 4 year old child or the woman in labor with her precious child.


We all need to be led by good morals, values, integrity, character, honesty and truth. That starts with a choice to be civil or uncivil in all things. We need to have respect for others and ourselves. They didn’t show any of this on that particular day. As a society, we need to return to them. It is my hope all of these young adults will learn from this, and all turn to these moral and civil statutes.


Grabbing popcorn to watch the leftists try to justify this malefactor…