Arrests made, vehicles impounded in connection to Sunday protests in Santa Maria

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Santa Maria police have arrested people who they say are connected illegal activity that happened following a protest on Sunday.

The protest took place in Santa Maria and ultimately ended around the area of of Cook Street and Broadway.

Following the protests, crowds began to gather in the street as many of the peaceful protesters began to leave. Police said a fire was set in the street and an American flag was torn down at City Hall. Others reportedly shot fireworks and broke into businesses at the Town Center Mall.

Dozens of officers were called into the scene to break up the crowd once word of looting spread.

Santa Maria Mayor Alice Patino held a press conference on Monday to decry the looting. A curfew was then instituted between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. that will remain in place until Monday.

According the the department, an investigation was launched and officers worked to identify some of the people that participating in the illegal acts.

On Wednesday, officers began making arrests and impounding vehicles that police say were involved in Sunday's post-protest crimes.

"We are here to support all that engage in peaceful protest and respect the individual and property rights of others. Those that seek to victimize others will be held accountable," Santa Maria Police Department said on social media.

The identities of those arrested have not yet been released by police.

The investigation remains ongoing.