15-year-old California teenager arrested for attempting to steal a deputy’s car

US News

From Nicholas McEntire

A California teenager allegedly tried to steal a deputy sheriff’s car earlier this month while a mob vandalized the patrol car in an illegal street takeover.

The 15-year-old offender was one of three people arrested for their role in damaging a San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputy’s vehicle on May 11 in Highland, California.

Shocking footage shows the large crowd kicking and jumping around on the roof of the vehicle while the vehicle was already driving with its blue lights on to scare off the vandals, according to KTLA.

“A male youth, along with other unidentified individuals, kicked and punched the patrol unit,” Highland Police said. “The patrol unit’s windscreen was completely shattered and other damage was reported to have been caused by the youth.”

The MP hurried to close the door before fleeing to safety.

“When I saw the video, I immediately put myself in the deputy’s shoes and wondered how he was going to get out of there,” said Gloria Huerta, spokeswoman for the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Office, according to KABC.

“When he realized what was going on, he turned on the overhead light to scare the crowd into leaving, but that backfired.”

During the street occupation, the intersection was flooded when one of the perpetrators opened a fire hydrant to flood the road and make it easier for drivers to drift.

Using cell phone videos taken at the crime scene, investigators identified the teenager as the prime suspect.

Police determined that the teen had opened the patrol car’s driver’s door to overtake both the officer and the vehicle.

Huerta says the deputy’s decision to drive away from the scene rather than confront the violent crowd could have potentially prevented an altercation involving deadly force.

An arrest warrant and a search warrant for the teenager’s apartment were issued.

The teenager was arrested at his home around 6:30 a.m. on May 23 and charged with attempted car theft and vandalism.

He was booked into the San Bernardino County Juvenile Detention Center.

Two hours after the first street takeover, a second one occurred, according to NBC Los Angeles, in which two more people were arrested but later released.

“These individuals are not afraid of the police, which is very disturbing,” Huerta said, adding, “If you participate in something like this, whether you’re a spectator or you’re riding in one of these vehicles, you either get caught and go to jail, or you hurt someone and go to jail – or you hurt yourself… it’s just not worth it.”

Last month, a Virginia police officer was held captive in her patrol car by a mob of “masked wannabe thugs” who jumped on the hood and ripped it apart.

Another driver mowed down a police officer who suffered a bruised wrist on his way to the scene of the accident to help.

18-year-old Ronal Urrea-Hernandez was reportedly driving when he collided with the police officer and fled the scene of the accident.

20-year-old Dylan Heckard was caught posting a selfie with a middle finger on social media and police found it.