Destruction during harassment in Richmond – Telemundo Bay Area 48

Last Friday, during an illegal car show in Richmond, seven new trucks were trampled and vandalized.

The sighting occurred at the intersection of Klose Way and Blume Drive late at night.

At a nearby car dealership, three people wearing red hoodies were seen standing on top of trucks, jumping on the hoods and smashing the windshields.

“They were kicking the hoods, the roofs, the windows,” said Leon Thomas, general manager of Hilltop Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram.

They also damaged the floorboards, Thomas said.

“It was horrible,” he said. “It was frustrating. It was embarrassing.”

Richmond police were on hand when the show was taking place. They said hundreds of vehicles blocked the road leading to the show and that a police vehicle was damaged by spectators throwing something at it.

In all, seven 2024 Ram and Dodge trucks were damaged. They were taken to a body shop where the extent and total cost of the damage was being assessed.

“It’s a big financial hit to businesses,” Thomas said.

In the meantime, Thomas said he plans to work with surrounding dealerships to collaborate on increased security.

While he understands how chaotic the spectacles are for officers, he believes Richmond police and city leaders should prioritize protecting businesses during illegal events.

“They were there, they knew what was going on, but they didn’t protect our business,” Thomas said. “I would like them to have a presence not only in my business, but also in the other businesses here that pay a lot of taxes.”

NBC Bay Area reached out to Richmond police for comment, but did not immediately hear back.