Police claim e-bike attack 'not a targeted assault' (UPDATED)

The Hermosa Beach Police Department (HBPD) issues the following Community Update on its ongoing investigation into the videotaped assault on a Hermosa Beach resident involving juvenile e-bike riders:

“The HBPD’s ongoing investigation has determined that the November 21 incident was not a targeted assault and that the resident walked past his intended destination to initiate contact with the juveniles. The HBPD has reviewed videotapes and audio of the incident and is continuing to investigate the events leading up the altercation. There is currently no evidence indicating that this was a premeditated attack by the juveniles, and detectives have determined that the item the victim was struck with in the video was a cardboard pizza box. The victim has been released from the hospital and spoke with HBPD officers on Monday. HBPD officers also spoke with one of the juvenile’s parents, who contacted HBPD after seeing their child on videos of the assault that are circulating on social media. HBPD is continuing its investigation and urges parents of the other juveniles involved, as well as any community members with relevant information, to contact Detective DiGenova at ndigenova@hermosabeach.gov.

The HBPD continues to actively enforce existing e-bike laws, including an urgency ordinance enacted in June 2024 by the Hermosa Beach City Council that requires helmets for e-bike riders and passengers under 18, bans e-bikes from the Greenbelt, prohibits passengers without a separate seat and bars alcohol/drug use while riding. Under the ordinance, violators face fines from $250 to $1,000, and juveniles under 18 can have their e-bikes impounded. Companies that rent out e-bikes must also use geofencing to prevent motors from running in prohibited areas like the Strand and Pier Plaza.

On November 13, Hermosa Beach Mayor Rob Saemann and HBPD Chief Landon Phillips held a Public Safety Town Hall focused on e-bike enforcement, at which Chief Phillips reported that HBPD has issued 40 e-bike citations this year and impounded 19 e-bikes since the urgency ordinance was adopted. In addition, HBPD has partnered with the Hermosa Beach City School District in its “Be Safe, Be SMART” safety campaign that educates students on how to safely operate an e-bike. In October, the California School Boards Association honored the e-bike safety partnership with its statewide Golden Bell Award.”

HBPD remains committed to keeping the community safe and asks members of the public to stay alert. If something looks suspicious, please call 9-1-1 or the department’s non-emergency line at (310) 524-2750.