Turlock Fire engine surrounded by sideshow mob Wednesday night

On Wednesday, May 5th, 2021, at approximately 11:05 pm, the Turlock Fire Department’s Engine 31 was surrounded by a mob of sideshow attendees while driving through intersection of W Monte Vista Ave and N Berkeley Ave.

Luckily, the engine was not responding to a call at the time and no response times were effected by the incident. Firefighters were driving through the intersection while a sideshow was taking place in it and a mob surrounded them, preventing them from driving through. Firefighters had to activate their emergency lights and siren to get through the mob.

Some people who were apart of the mob climbed onto the truck while others pulled hose lines off of it. No injuries were reported as a result of the incident, and there was no theft or damage. Firefighters were able to escape the crowd and pulled over at a safe location to secure their hose lines. They were only out of service for less than a minute. Video of the incident was captured by one of the sideshow attendees and shared on social media.

The Turlock Police Department is currently investigating the incident and attempting to identify those involved. California Penal Code section 148(a)(1) makes it a misdemeanor to resist, delay, or obstruct a public officer, peace officer, or emergency medical technician who is discharging or attempting to discharge their duties. The crime is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment in a county jail for up to one year, or by both that fine and imprisonment. In this case, firefighters would fall under both “public officer” and “emergency medical technician”.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Officer Donna Anthieny at 209-668-5550 extension 6631 or by email at DAnthieny@turlock.ca.us. You can also leave an anonymous tip at the Turlock Police Department’s tip line at 209-668-5550 extension 6780 or by email at tpdtipline@turlock.ca.us.