Mob attacks San Jose police car, prevents officer from treating victim injured by 'sideshow' driver: report

On Saturday evening, police were called to deal with numerous sideshows taking place across San Jose, California. At one particularly rowdy site in the area of Winchester Boulevard and Olin Avenue in the west of the city, a spectator was injured when a driver slammed into them. 

When a reserve officer showed up on scene, he attempted to make his way to the injured person, but was impeded from doing so by members of the crowd, who proceeded to trash the police car while he was inside. The vehicle was left in bad shape, and the officer sustained "minor" injuries.

According to the San Jose Police Department, additional units were called to assist the officer, but by the time they arrived, the "unruly crowd" had already dispersed. 

Footage of the incident showed a group of young men jumping on the hood and windshield of the car as the officer asked them to stop. "That's how we do out here," one person said, before another began humping the grill.
 

"This conduct is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in our city," Acting Chief of Police Paul Joseph wrote in a post on X. "Detectives and Crime Analysts from our Real Time Intelligence Center are actively following up to identify all those responsible. 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!"

He vowed to "expend every effort to identify and apprehend all involved," and that he "will also personally work with the District Attorney to ensure that, once arrested, these suspects are prosecuted to the fullest extent the law allows."

On Monday, the SJPD revealed that 24-year-old Aidan Rheault had been arrested after being identified as the motorist who had struck the spectator. He was subsequently charged with felony hit and run, and felony reckless driving. His maroon Nissan 350z was towed away.

"We are just getting started," Joseph added.