Protester arrested for theft and battery after stealing counter-protester’s iPad

Albuquerque –

Albuquerque police this week arrested and charged 39-year-old Athenx Lindlan of Albuquerque. Lindlan was arrested for the second time this week for violating New Mexico laws.

According to a criminal complaint, Lindlan stood in front of the Jewish Community Center on March 25 and protested the appearance of Israeli Consul General of the Southwest Livia Link-Raviv at the center. According to the complaint, a group was protesting on the sidewalk. Police made several public address announcements to the group not to block traffic.

The complaint goes on to say that a woman across the street held up an iPad with an Israeli flag to protest the gathering group. Lindlan noticed her, crossed the street and then violently ripped the iPad out of the female victim’s hands. Lindlan and the victim then struggled with the iPad. This caused Lindlan to punch the victim. APD officers did witness the confrontation between the pair. Lindlan then ran away and dropped the iPad.

APD officers interviewed Lindlan in the March 25 incident, but it is not clear why Lindlan was not charged with the crimes at the time. APD officers witnessed the crime and the victim wanted to report it at the scene. On April 30, 2024, APD issued an arrest warrant for Lindlan. Our records show that Lindlan was known as Jonathan Wartes until a name change in 2021.

Lindlan was arrested again this week at UNM over the takeover of the SUB by pro-Palestinian protesters on Monday, April 29, 2024.