Los Angeles continued to be lawless over the weekend, with rioters attacking an auto parts store and groups of teenagers on electric bikes terrorizing holidaying families with illegal fireworks.
The Hermosa Beach pier was bustling with young families enjoying a Saturday night out when a group of unruly teenagers stormed in, turning the entertainment district into a battlefield and launching multiple powerful fireworks into the crowd, video showed.
Several people nearby suffered minor injuries, including a woman who was hit in the face and a man in the head, and several young children narrowly escaped sparks from the rocket’s explosion.
The disturbance began around 8:30pm and was initially reported as an explosion at Pier Plaza. Police later determined the dangerous disturbance was caused by a group of minors who arrived at the scene on electric bikes, set off fireworks and then fled the scene.
Police arrested two minors believed to have been taking part in a dangerous improvisation show and notified their parents. NBC reportedVideo footage of the incident led police to identify another young man who is believed to have set off the fireworks, but no arrests have been made yet.
Coastal cities in California are struggling with a rise in crimes caused by errant teens riding electric bikes, much of which involves vandalism and assault.
Hours after Saturday’s fireworks attack, an AutoZone store about 15 miles inland south of Los Angeles was looted by at least 50 rioters, according to Los Angeles Police.
Shocking footage of the incident showed a large crowd pouring into the store at the intersection of Century Boulevard and Hoover Street through smashed security gates and glass windows.
Looters, many of whom hid their identities behind masks and sweatshirt hoodies, were seen emerging from the store carrying boxes of merchandise under their arms.
Broken glass and discarded items were strewn around the store’s entrance Monday morning.
So far, one person has been arrested, According to CBS.
