HIGHLAND, Calif. – A San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy found himself under attack by a violent mob of teenagers and young adults during an illegal street takeover in Highland. The incident took place at the intersection of Highland and Victoria avenues in the early hours of Saturday, May 11.
Around 100 individuals had gathered in the area for the street takeover, where one person opened a fire hydrant to flood the intersection, facilitating car drifting. Fortunately, the deputy managed to drive away unscathed from the chaotic scene, captured in cellphone video showing multiple individuals kicking and punching his patrol vehicle.
The sheriff’s department disclosed that one of the assailants attempted to open the patrol vehicle’s door, raising concerns of a potential carjacking. Spokesperson Gloria Huerta commended the deputy’s decision to retreat from the volatile crowd, potentially averting a deadly confrontation that could have escalated to the use of lethal force.
Huerta emphasized the danger of such encounters, highlighting the brazen attitude of the individuals involved. The arrest of a 15-year-old suspect from Menifee, accused of attempted carjacking and felony vandalism, underscored the disturbing reality of unsupervised teenagers engaging in criminal activities late at night.
Authorities obtained a warrant for the arrest of the juvenile suspect, apprehending him at his residence around 6:30 a.m. Thursday. Huerta expressed alarm at the lack of supervision for young individuals participating in illicit and reckless behavior, emphasizing the need for community awareness and intervention to prevent such incidents from recurring.