SJPD attack: 7 people arrested after San Jose police officer attacked during response to illegal show, authorities say

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) – A few weeks after a police officer was attacked at a sideshow in the South Bay, seven people were arrested.

Suspects were observed jumping on his police car and damaging it while he was inside.

Now the authorities announced that they had arrested all those responsible.

Frozen images from a video widely shared on social media contributed to the arrests.

“If you attack a San Jose police officer who is trying to help an injured person so you can become famous on TikTok, it is possible that you will escape consequences for hours or days, but rest assured that we will find you and arrest you,” said Deputy Chief Paul Joseph of the San Jose Police Department. “We will send a clear message to you and your fellow lawbreakers. Not in San Jose.”

MORE: Video shows burning car during SF sideshow, one of several sideshows in the Bay Area in one night

The arrests were announced more than two weeks after a sideshow turned violent on June 15 in the area of ​​Winchester Boulevard and Olin Avenue near Santana Row in San Jose.

According to police, the suspects climbed into a patrol vehicle, kicked the windshield, smashed the side windows and attempted to rip open the doors.

They say the officer was trying to help a carnival spectator who had been hit by a car and was unconscious.

At this point, the officer’s vehicle was surrounded.

A business owner’s clothing store near the crime scene had just closed when the sideshow took place. He said he didn’t find out about it until the next day.

“I was completely shocked because I knew I had only been there a few minutes before,” said Jim Thomas, owner of Eli Thomas Menswear. “And that kind of thing never happens on this side of town.”

MORE: San Jose mayor calls on social media companies to help stop illegal sideshow activity

ABC7 is not showing the suspects’ photos or naming them because no formal charges have been filed against any of them. The suspects range in age from 16 to 26.

Police believe they have arrested all those who damaged the car and attacked the police officer.

“We first arrested the driver who was doing donuts, hit the pedestrian and fled. That was the first arrest,” Joseph said. “Through analysis of the video we received, we identified six individuals who attacked the patrol car. All six of those individuals are currently in custody.”

According to police, sideshows have become a growing problem in other areas of San Jose and the Bay Area in general.

MORE: Video shows: Bay Bridge sideshow paralyzes traffic overnight

San Jose police said the department is involved in efforts to establish a Bay Area task force to develop solutions.

“Through this Bay Area network, we are leveraging our collective resources to best address this regional issue,” said Deputy Chief Brandon Sanchez. “I believe this could lead to the creation of a regional task force in the future.”

After the suspects involved in the June 15 attack were arrested, police say they are currently working on identifying other people involved in the sideshow.

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