California teenager arrested after crowd punched and kicked police officer’s car | News

HIGHLAND, Calif. (AP) — A teenager was taken into custody after a group of young people surrounded a deputy’s patrol car earlier this month, kicking and punching the vehicle before the deputy could drive away, a California sheriff’s office said this week.

The 15-year-old boy allegedly opened the driver’s door of the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department vehicle and attempted to “pass the deputy and his patrol unit” at an intersection in Highland, according to a statement released Thursday. The teen was arrested at his Menifee home on suspicion of attempted auto theft and vandalism.

Shortly after midnight on May 11, the deputy managed to close the door and drive away. Video footage obtained by investigators shows an unruly crowd banging on the deputy’s window and kicking the vehicle, cracking the windshield.

About 100 people had gathered at the intersection for an illegal street occupation and someone had opened a fire hydrant so that vehicles could skid more easily, the sheriff’s office said in a statement.

Department spokeswoman Gloria Huerta said the officer’s decision to drive away was probably the safest choice.

“These people have no fear of the police and their behavior is very disturbing,” she said.

Highland is located about 65 miles (88 kilometers) east of Los Angeles.

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