15-year-old California teen arrested for trying to carjack sheriff's deputy

A California teenager allegedly tried to carjack a sheriff's deputy as a mob vandalized the car during an illegal street takeover earlier this month.

The offender, 15, was among three people arrested for their role in damaging a San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputy's vehicle in Highland, California, on May 11.

Shocking footage showed the large crowd kicking and jumping on the vehicle, which had already turned on its lights to deter the vandals, according to KTLA.

“A juvenile kicked and punched the patrol unit along with other unidentified subjects,” Highland Police said. “The patrol unit’s windshield was completely shattered, along with other reported damage caused by the juvenile.”

The deputy rushed to close the door before fleeing to safety.

“When I saw this video, I immediately put myself in the deputy's shoes and wondered how he was going to get through this,” said Gloria Huerta, San Francisco Sheriff's public information officer. Bernardino, according to KABC.

“When he realized what was happening, he activated the overhead lights in an attempt to scare the crowd into leaving, but this backfired.”

During the takeover of the street, the intersection was flooded when one of the individuals opened a fire hydrant to flood the road, making it easier for drivers to drift.

Investigators used phone videos taken at the scene to identify the teen as the prime suspect.

Police determined the juvenile opened the driver's door of the patrol car to pass the officer and the vehicle.

Huerta says the deputy's decision to walk away from the scene rather than confront the violent crowd could have avoided a deadly confrontation.

An arrest warrant was issued against the teenager as well as a search warrant for his home.

The teenager was arrested around 6:30 a.m. on May 23 at his home and charged with attempted carjacking and criminal vandalism.

He was booked into San Bernardino County Juvenile Hall.

Two hours after the first street takeover, a second took place in which two more people were arrested and then released, according to NBC Los Angeles.

“These individuals are not afraid of the police by their behavior, it is very worrying,” added Huerta. “Participating in this type of thing, whether you're a spectator or the driver of one of these vehicles, you're either going to get caught and go to jail, or you're going to hurt someone and go to jail. – or get hurt… that just not worth it.

Last month, a swarm of “masked wannabe thugs” trapped a Virginia cop in his patrol car as they jumped on the hood and tore it apart.

Another driver hit a police officer, who suffered a bruised wrist, as he rushed to the scene to help.

Ronal Urrea-Hernandez, 18, was allegedly behind the wheel when he hit the officer before fleeing the scene.

Dylan Heckard, 20, was arrested after posting a selfie with a middle finger on social media and police tracked him down.