A passerby captured the moments a shirtless man jumped on a fire truck and attacked the crew as they responded to a call in South Los Angeles.
It happened about a half mile away from Engine 16’s station. The shirtless man runs into the street as the crew puts the engine in reverse, slowing their response time to the traffic accident.
The suspect then reaches into the fire truck through an open window as a firefighter runs around the front of the truck and tries to pull him away, but to no avail.
Another firefighter then jumped out of the truck with what appeared to be a bat and chased him away. Local residents denounced the shirtless man’s actions, saying the firefighters were trying to do their job and help people.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department said paramedics were called to check on the suspect before the LA County Sheriff’s Department arrested him.
Officers said they arrested the suspect, 55-year-old Roland Leary, on the afternoon of June 7 near the intersection of Central Avenue and Nadeau Street.
He was booked for assault likely to cause serious bodily injury to a peace officer and a firefighter engaged in the execution of his duties.
Leary is expected in court on June 25.
This was not the first time Fire Truck 16 has run into trouble during a call. Fire officials said people jumped on motorcycles during a street takeover a few months ago.
