SMPD detectives recently executed an arrest warrant at a Compton home stemming from a road rage incident involving a large motorcycle group
By Sam Catanzaro
Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) detectives and SWAT officers recently served an arrest warrant at a Compton home stemming from a July 2022 road rage incident. The suspect, identified as Anthony Harris Jr., allegedly grabbed the victim’s steering wheel and attempted to take his wallet, producing a handgun during the altercation
On March 2, 2023, SMPD Detectives within the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) along with SWAT officers served an arrest and search warrant at a home in Compton, which stemmed from an incident that occurred in July of 2022.
According to the SMPD, on July 24, 2022, officers were dispatched to the area of Pico and Centinela boulevards regarding a road rage incident that occurred involving a large motorcycle group. When officers arrived the motorcyclists were gone, however they met with the victims and witnesses who recounted the incident.
Victims and witnesses told police that around 5:35 p.m., the driver and passenger of a vehicle were driving eastbound on Pico and stopped at a red light just west of Centinela.
“Stopped in front of them, were a large group of motorcyclists. The signal turned green, however the motorcyclists refused to proceed forward. This caused a dispute between the occupants of the vehicle and group of motorcyclists which further escalated after the motorcyclists approached and crowded the vehicle,” the SMPD said. “One of the motorcyclists began grabbing the victim’s steering wheel and attempted to open the driver’s door before striking the victim in the face. As the victim attempted to drive away, the suspect got into the backseat of the car, with the vehicle ultimately colliding into a parked car. The suspect then produced a handgun as he continued to attempt to remove the victim from his car and take his wallet.”
The suspect and other motorcyclists fled before police arrived.
SMPD Detectives were able to identify the suspect, which was subsequently confirmed through DNA, as Anthony Harris Jr, a 41-year-old man from Compton. CID Detectives filed the case with the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office – Airport Branch, who issued an arrest warrant for Attempt Robbery and Assault with a Deadly Weapon against Harris.
