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Masked sideshow spectators jump, smash windshield of San Jose police car
"Unruly" crowd members in ski masks were seen jumping on and smashing the police cruiser's windshield in West San Jose Saturday evening after a sideshow, police said.
SAN JOSE, Calif. - Several sideshow spectators overtook and stomped upon a San Jose police cruiser, seen in a viral video making the rounds online.
"Unruly" crowd members in ski masks were seen jumping on and smashing the police cruiser's windshield in West San Jose Saturday evening after a sideshow, police said.
The San Jose Police Department condemned the actions of the masked crowd members taking part in the destruction.
"I just think it’s kind of dangerous. I noticed we had a lot more traffic yesterday," said Harold Woo, of San Jose.
Police were getting multiple calls about sideshows taking place throughout the city just before 7 p.m., including one in the western part of the city. At that sideshow, one spectator was injured by a car taking part in the stunts.
"You can’t control it. We don’t know if the cops are coming and, apparently, people tend to come from outside whatever location it is, to do it," said Amelda Jimenez Lamar, of San Francisco.
A reserve officer working in the area was flagged down to help the injured person, but his car was soon overrun by the masked crowd members.
"To see one of our officers attacked by an out of control mob while in the process of trying to help a seriously injured person is truly deplorable!" acting Chief of Police Paul Joseph said in a statement.
The officer couldn't get to the injured person to provide aid. There's no word about the injured person's condition at the time of writing.
"If people are posting about it and making videos, it might encourage other people to do it," Molly Lynch of Santa Clara said. "Especially, impressionable young folk on Instagram…It’s not just in one area, but it can spread."
The officer suffered minor injuries, but his police cruiser was severely damaged, police said. The crowd dispersed before more officers arrived at the scene.
"This conduct is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in our city…know that we will expend every effort to identify and apprehend all involved," said Joseph.
There's currently no word if there have been any arrests.
"So, seeing that here was pretty disturbing, especially when all the men were jumping on the windshield," said Umesh Malhorta of Santa Clara. "So, there’s no fear and that’s the beginning of a big problem."
Joseph also said he will work with the district attorney to make sure those who are arrested for the attack will be "prosecuted to the fullest extent the law allows."
O. Gloria Okorie is a reporter for KTVU. Email O. Gloria at o.gloria.okorie@fox.com or call her at 510-874-0175. Follow her on Twitter @ogloriaokorie.