Two San Francisco residents were apprehended over the weekend, embroiled in an incident that marks the city's continuing struggle with illicit sideshow events. According to the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, the duo was arrested near Woodside High School in unincorporated Redwood City after participating in a sideshow that gathered a sizable crowd of onlookers on Saturday afternoon. Law enforcement officials responded to the area of Woodside Rd and Alameda de las Pulgas, where the chaotic scene unfolded around 3:30 p.m.
The fast-acting response from multiple agencies, including the Redwood City Police Department and the California Highway Patrol, led to the dispersal of many individuals present, though not without a chase as two suspects attempted to escape on foot resulting in a brief pursuit before being apprehended at an ARCO gas station, during the chaos, these agencies observed items being hurled towards uninvolved vehicle, which added to the peril of the spontaneous gathering. Waldemar A. Pop, 23, and Jesus Gress-Ramirez, 22, were taken into custody and booked on charges of resisting or obstructing an officer in the line of duty.
With sideshow incidents showing no signs of abatement, the illegal gatherings pose a significant threat to both participants and bystanders. The county sheriff's office, through its release, has reiterated a message of zero-tolerance toward such activities. Pop and Gress-Ramirez now face one count each of violating section 148(a)(1) PC, which pertains to the delaying or obstruction of law enforcement officers. The specter of danger these events raise cannot be overstated, leading to the heightened vigilance and responsiveness of local law enforcement.
In their efforts to trace additional participants of the sideshow, the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office has urged the public to come forward with any information. Sgt. Doug Richardson can be reached at [email protected] or 650-363-4911 for direct communications, meanwhile, those preferring to remain anonymous can direct their tips to the dedicated Tip Line at 1-800-547-2700, in an attempt to curtail the spate of sideshows, authorities are soliciting community assistance to crack down on this recurring issue.
