GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The day’s work was cleaning up.
At Sundance Grill and Bar in downtown Grand Rapids, windows needed replacing, frames needed repairing, floors needed sweeping and moping and shelves needed restocking.
“Just destruction,” said District Manager Trudy Billows. “A lot of chair throwing and just taking every shelf that was in the kitchen and knocking it over.”
Saturday’s unrest left downtown businesses already reeling from covid-19 in even worse shape – this time not only financially, but physically.
But Sundance had surveillance cameras – a few of them. They were rolling when vandals and rioters came smashing through the window, taking alcohol from behind the bar and damaging supplies and computers the instant they got inside.
One suspect is still on the run but has been identified by police. They tell us she’s Olivia Hull, who is not from Grand Rapids, but can be seen on surveillance camera video smashing the windows at Sundance late Saturday. More video shows her jump the bar, knock over a computer, steal alcohol from the bar, and leave with her arms full of bottles. Still images taken outside show her smashing more windows with what looks like a metal pipe.
The 24-year-old is facing one count each of riot, breaking and entering, and destruction of property. She could spend up to 10-years behind bars.
As for Sundance, they got a good bit of work done Thursday, but still have more to do. After having only been open for takeout for four days before the damage, they hope to reopen by 6:30 a.m. on Monday.
“Our phone is ringing, ‘what can we do to help?’” said Billow. “People are calling us, they want to purchase meals for the hospital or essential workers just so they can help us get back on our feet again.”
If you have any information, pictures or videos from Saturday night GRPD is asking that you call them. Silent Observer is also offering a reward.
