'Out Of Control Mob' Attacks Officer At Bay Area Sideshow: Police

SAN JOSE, CA — Investigators in San Jose are searching for a group responsible for mobbing an officer as he tried to help a person injured during an illegal sideshow Saturday night, according to police.

In a statement, acting police chief Paul Joseph said his department received multiple reports of sideshow activity across the city a few minutes before 7 p.m. Saturday. Joseph said one of the events took place in a busy part of west San Jose, where a spectator was hit by a reckless vehicle taking part in the sideshow.

Someone flagged down a reserve officer in the area who attempted to reach the injured person when his patrol car was overrun. According to the chief, the patrol car sustained heavy damage and the officer suffered minor injuries before the unruly crowd dispersed.

"This conduct is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in our city," Joseph said. "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."

The police chief pledged a full-scale effort to identify and arrest the people responsible and said he will work closely with the DA's office to ensure the suspects are prosecuted to the fullest extend of the law.