California teenager arrested after crowd pounded and kicked a deputy’s car

HIGHLAND, California — A teenager was taken into custody after a crowd of young people stormed an officer’s patrol car earlier this month, kicking and punching the vehicle before the officer could drive away, a California sheriff’s office said this week.

The 15-year-old male allegedly opened the driver’s side door of the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department vehicle and attempted to “catch up with the deputy and his patrol unit” at an intersection in Highlands, according to a statement released Thursday. The youth was arrested at his home in Menifee on suspicion of attempted carjacking and vandalism.

The officer was able to close the door and drive away from the encounter shortly after midnight on May 11. Video footage obtained by detectives shows an unruly crowd banging on the officer’s window and kicking the vehicle, cracking the windshield.

About 100 people had gathered at the intersection for an illegal street takeover, and someone had opened a fire hydrant to make it easier for vehicles to skid, the sheriff’s office said in a statement.

Gloria Huerta, spokesperson for the department, said the deputy’s decision to drive away was probably the safest choice.

“These individuals have no fear of law enforcement and their behavior is deeply disturbing,” she said.

Highland is located about 55 miles east of Los Angeles.