Spectator injured, police officer attacked during San Jose sideshow: Police

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA — Investigators in San Jose are searching for a group that harassed an officer as he tried to help a person injured during an illegal sideshow Saturday night, police said.

In a statement, Deputy Police Chief Paul Joseph said his department received several reports of sideshow activity across the city just minutes before 7 p.m. Saturday. Joseph said one of the events occurred in a busy part of West San Jose, where a spectator was struck by a reckless vehicle participating in the sideshow.

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Someone flagged down a reserve officer in the area who was trying to reach the injured man when his patrol car was pulled over. According to the chief, the patrol car was heavily damaged and the officer suffered minor injuries before the unruly crowd dispersed.

“This behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in our city,” Joseph said. “Investigators and crime analysts from our Real Time Intelligence Center are actively following the incident to identify anyone responsible. To see one of our officers attacked by an out-of-control mob while attempting to assist a seriously injured individual is truly unfortunate.”

The police chief pledged a comprehensive effort to identify and arrest those responsible and said he would work closely with prosecutors to ensure the suspects are punished to the fullest extent possible under the law.