Suspected leader among G20 vandals surrenders

Toronto Police released this photo of Kelly Rose Pflug-Back, 21, of Norwood, Ont.

A woman accused by Toronto Police of being a leader amongst the G20 political vandals has surrendered to law enforcement officials in Peterborough.

Kelly Rose Pflug-Back, 21, had been identified as a priority for the G20 investigative team at a news conference earlier on Wednesday.

The native of Norwood, Ont., is wanted for six counts of mischief of $5,000, police said.

"She caused and was responsible for a tremendous amount of damage in the downtown core," Det. Sgt. Gary Giroux told reporters.

He also alleged she was an organizer and facilitator who gave orders to others participating in the destruction.

Last week, Pflug-Back spoke to CTV Toronto over earlier G20 charges. "I've been charged with conspiracy, which is basically people that they've targeted as organizers," she said on July 16.

She is a student at the University of Guelph and has been involved in environmental activism in that city. She has also had poetry published.

On her Facebook page, Pflug-Back said she likes "burning stuff," the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (a militant conservation group), and a Facebook group demanding an inquiry into the Toronto G20.

No allegations against Pflug-Back have been proven in a court of law.

'Most wanted' expanded

Police released the photos of 21 suspects at the news conference.

Police allege that a tiny minority of protesters on June 26 tried to conceal their identities with black clothing while they carried out attacks on property. They later changed back so that they could not be detected within the peaceful protesters. People engaged in such behaviour are said to be using Black Bloc tactics.

The public has been instrumental in helping identify suspects with 80 per cent of those identifying coming from tips, Giroux said.

Since investigators began releasing images, 10 people have been arrested.

Some say the police are using the same type of approach one might use with dangerous criminals such as murderers.

"It doesn't matter. A criminal's a criminal," Giroux said.

While police continue their efforts to track down G20 vandals, activist groups and others such as the Canadian Civil Liberties Association have been highly critical of how police conducted themselves during the tumultuous period of the summit on June 26 and 27.

With a report from CTV Toronto's Natalie Johnson