LA Mob Vandalism: Downtown Chaos & Graffiti
A New Year’s Eve gathering in downtown Los Angeles unexpectedly erupted into chaos, with vandals causing significant damage and disruption. A large crowd engaged in vandalism, targeting an A Line train and nearby businesses, prompting a swift police response. While police were on the scene, no arrests occurred immediately. The incident, which included graffiti and property damage, led to train service delays and heightened tensions. Disturbances were reported at multiple locations, including an intersection and inside the train itself. Authorities are actively investigating this downtown vandalism, seeking public assistance for identifying culprits.News Directory 3 has the latest on the story. Discover what’s next in the ongoing investigation and the potential for increased security measures.
New Year’s Eve Vandalism: Chaos Erupts in Downtown Los Angeles
A New Year’s Eve gathering near downtown Los Angeles devolved into chaos as a crowd engaged in vandalism, causing train delays and prompting a large police response. The incident occurred around midnight at the intersection of Washington Boulevard and Maple Avenue.
Witnesses reported seeing individuals dressed in festive attire, while others performed risky stunts, such as spitting flammable liquid onto a torch. One man climbed a light pole and filmed himself, according to video from OnScene.TV.
A vandalized police cruiser in downtown Los Angeles after New Year’s Eve celebrations.
(OnScene.TV)
Attention then shifted to a stopped A Line train, which became the target of further vandalism. Individuals spray-painted the train and hammered on its windows. The Los Angeles police Department (LAPD) received a call at 12:12 a.m. reporting five male suspects vandalizing the train’s interior,according to Officer Kevin Terzes,an LAPD spokesperson.
Video footage showed dozens of officers in riot gear confronting the crowd. Another call came in at 12:19 a.m. about disruptive individuals on a train at Washington Boulevard and Trinity Street, Terzes said.
Despite the police presence, no arrests were made in connection with either call. It remains unclear if arrests were made separately for the vandalism of nearby businesses, including a Panda Express, Waba Grill, dialysis center, and medical clinic.
Some members of the crowd posed for selfies with a spray-painted LAPD cruiser, hurled a firework, and kicked the vehicle as officers departed, according to video evidence. This New Year’s Eve vandalism caused important disruption.
Metro spokesperson Jose Ubaldo stated that train service experienced approximately 20 minutes of delays after about 50 people blocked both southbound and northbound trains at Washington Boulevard and Maple Avenue.The vandals spray-painted both the exterior and interior of the trains. Fortunately, no passengers or Metro employees sustained injuries, Ubaldo said.
Ubaldo urged anyone with information about the incident to contact the LAPD at (800) 222-8477.
What’s next
Authorities are continuing to investigate the New Year’s Eve vandalism incident and are seeking information from the public to identify those responsible.Increased security measures might potentially be implemented in the area to prevent future occurrences.