Three teenage students at a Hemet middle school allegedly tried to interfere with the arrest of a fourth student and were arrested on suspicion of inciting a riot, Hemet police said Saturday.
The incident began just before 4 p.m. Friday when a Tahquitz High School student arrived at the Rancho Viejo Middle School campus and got into an
argument with a school employee, according to police.
The 15-year-old girl allegedly threatened the school employee, prompting a campus police officer to respond to the scene, said Lt. Eric Dickson.
The officer attempted to speak to the teen, but she refused and was ultimately arrested.
As the officer walked the student to his vehicle, a crowd began to form around them with "students becoming aggressive and demanding that the officer release the Tahquitz student," Dickson said.
When the officer tried to place the arrested student in his vehicle, one of the surrounding students blocked the car's door from closing, while another moved in close to the officer, according to Dickson.
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At that point, the officer called for backup and pushed the crowd of students back. One student
attempted to take a swing at the officer, but the officer was uninjured, police said.
Three students who tried to impede the arrest were arrested.
They include a 13-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of felony assault on a police officer, inciting a riot and participating in a riot; and a 13-year-old boy and a 14-year-old boy, both arrested on suspicion of inciting a riot and participating in a riot.
The 15-year-old Tahquitz High School student was arrested on suspicion of threatening a public employee and resisting arrest.
Because the suspects are minors, police did not release their names.
