Man accused of attacking cop at Capitol Riot buried police badge in backyard

A New York man who was arrested Friday for assaulting a DC Metropolitan Police Officer in the January 6 attack on the Capitol, confessed to the FBI that he buried the officer’s badge in his backyard after returning home.

Thomas Sibick was arrested Friday in Buffalo, New York, according to court records. Sibick is facing five charges, including obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder, assaulting or obstructing officers, and taking anything of value with violence or intimidation.

Sibick was caught on video assaulting MPD officer Mike Fanone, who was taunted and attacked by rioters, who dragged him into the crowd as they attempted to enter the Capitol. HuffPost previously reported on the identity of a man wearing a MAGA hat who saw a taser use on Fanone during the attack.

MPD previously told HuffPost there had been no arrests in the Fanone attack, and Sibick’s arrest appears to be the first.

Fanone’s camera footage shows that his police radio and badge are being ripped off his vest by Sibick, the affidavit said. After the riot, Sibick posted images of himself with a US Capitol Police shield and an attempt to enter the building with the Mafia.

FBI agents first interviewed Sibick on Jan. 27, and he acknowledged that he was in Washington on the day of the Capitol uprising. He told the officers that he had heard someone say, “get it [Fanone’s] shoot and kill him, ”but claimed he was trying to help the officer. In early February, Sibick again denied his participation in the attack. But in late February, he said he had to “recant” his earlier statement and admitted that he took the officer’s badge and radio. He said he dropped them in a trash can in Washington, but later called an agent and claimed he “wanted to do the right thing.”

Sibick, the FBI affidavit said, he “buried the badge in his backyard,” bought a metal detector to find it, dug it up and wanted to return it.

“Later that evening, SIBICK met the officer and handed him a bag of mud and Officer MF’s badge,” the affidavit stated.