Earlier this month, a teenager in California allegedly tried to steal a sheriff’s deputy’s car after rioters vandalized the patrol vehicle during an illegal street occupation.
The 15-year-old delinquent was one of three people arrested for vandalizing a San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputy’s vehicle in Highland, California, on May 11.
Shocking footage showed a large crowd kicking and jumping on top of the vehicle, which had already had its lights on in an attempt to thwart the vandals. According to KTLA.
“The juvenile, along with unknown individuals, began punching and kicking the patrol officer,” Highland Police said in a statement. “In addition to other damage caused by the juvenile, the patrol officer’s windshield was completely shattered.”
The deputy quickly closed the door before running to safety.
“When I saw that video, I immediately put myself in the deputy’s shoes and wondered how he was going to get out of that,” said San Bernardino Sheriff’s Office spokesman Sgt. Gloria Huerta said, according to KABC.
“When he realised what was happening he turned on the overhead lights in an attempt to scare the crowd away, but it backfired.”
During the road occupation, one of the protesters opened a fire hydrant and let water flow onto the road, flooding intersections and making it easier for drivers to drift.
Investigators used cellphone video taken at the scene to identify the juvenile as the prime suspect.
Police determined the juvenile opened the driver’s door of his patrol car and attempted to run the deputy and his vehicle past him.
Huerta said the deputy’s decision to drive away from the scene rather than confront the violent crowd may have prevented the use of lethal force.
An arrest warrant was issued for the boy, and a search warrant was also obtained for his home.
The boy was arrested at his home around 6:30 a.m. on May 23 and charged with attempted carjacking and criminal damage to property.
He was booked into San Bernardino County Juvenile Detention Center.
A second street takeover took place two hours after the first and resulted in two more arrests, though they were reportedly later released. NBC Los Angeles.
“These people, based on their behavior, are not afraid of the police, and that is very disturbing,” Huerta said, adding: “If you participate in this, whether you’re a spectator or the driver of one of these vehicles, you’re either going to get caught and go to jail, or you’re going to hurt someone and go to jail, or you’re going to hurt yourself. It’s just not worth it.”
Last month, a group of “masked tough-guy thugs” trapped a Virginia police officer inside his patrol car, then jumped onto the hood and destroyed it.
Another driver responded to the scene and hit an officer trying to assist, leaving him with a bruised wrist.
Ronal Urrea Hernandez, 18, was driving the vehicle and allegedly fled the scene after striking the officer.
Dylan Heckard, 20, was arrested after he was spotted by police after posting a selfie on social media showing him giving the middle finger.
