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Durham Co. Sherriff Will Pursue Felonies For Toppled Statue

2:45 p.m.

A North Carolina sheriff says he has identified some of the people who toppled a nearly century-old Confederate statue, and he plans to charge them with felonies.

Durham County Sheriff Mike Andrews told reporters at a news conference Tuesday afternoon that investigators were preparing arrest warrants and taking them to a magistrate judge. He declined to specify what charges the people would face. The arrests hadn't been made at the time of the news conference.

On Monday night protesters climbed a ladder, attached a rope, and tore down the bronze statue of a Confederate soldier from its pedestal. After it fell, some began kicking the statue, while others took photos standing or sitting on it. The protest was in response to violence and a death at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, over the weekend.

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9:15 a.m.

A North Carolina sheriff is working to identify and charge protesters who toppled a nearly century-old Confederate statue.

Durham County Sheriff Mike Andrews issued a statement Tuesday that investigators are using video footage to identify those responsible for toppling the statue. Law enforcement officers took video throughout the protest Monday in downtown Durham.

But they didn't intervene as demonstrators climbed a ladder, attached a rope and then pulled down the statue. The protest was in response to violence at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, over the weekend.

Andrews said he chose to exercise restraint. He said he met with county leaders and protest organizers beforehand and was aware of the potential for vandalism.

County officials didn't immediately respond to messages asking whether the statue would be put back up.

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