Crime & Safety

Three Police Officers Injured After Fourth of July Melee Involving Illegal Fireworks

The incident began when two police officers patrolling around the city saw an M-1000 being thrown into the street from an apartment complex. What happened next allegedly set off a melee between six members of a San Bruno family and at least four officers.

Updated 4:13 p.m.

Four residents were arraigned in San Mateo County Superior Court Wednesday for their alleged role in a bizarre Fourth of July fight that involved illegal fireworks and left three San Bruno police officers injured.

The residents, all family members, were charged with five counts of battery on a police officer and resisting arrest, and all pleaded not guilty to the charges. Three of them posted bail and were released out of custody. The fourth person remains in San Mateo County Jail, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office.

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The incident began about 8:50 p.m. Monday when two officers patrolling around the city saw an M-1000 being thrown into the street from an apartment complex on East Avenue and land under a car, although it didn't explode.

When officers spotted a group of people near where the M-1000 was thrown, Wendall Rapada, 30, took off running and led the officers on a chase through the apartment complex, the district attorney's office said. 

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When the officers caught Rapada, he resisted their arrest and punched and fought them. Then other family members got involved, setting off a melee between six of the Rapada family members and at least four police officers, the district attorney's office said. 

First, a cousin, Crystal Rapada, 27, allegedly came out of an apartment and began punching and kicking the officers as they were trying to arrest Wendall Rapada. Then, Wendall's father, Ephraim Rapada, 58, reportedly tried to throw one of the officers off the balcony, which was 13 feet above the ground. Another cousin, Ervin Rapada, 25, allegedly joined the melee by punching and holding down the officers as well.

One of the family members also attempted to remove one of the officer's weapons from his holster while he was losing consciousness, the district attorney's office said. 

Another officer arrived at the scene and was allegedly punched multiple times in the face by Ervin Rapada. Two more of the family members were involved in the skirmish and were cited and released, the district attorney's office said. 

The four family members were arrested after more officers arrived at the scene of the melee. Wendall Rapada, who was on felony probation for illegally possessing a firearm, remains in custody on $100,000 bail.

The three officers injured include officers Michael Brennan, Joseph Valiente and Joseph Baker. One officer suffered a concussion and was treated at a hospital. The two other officers suffered black eyes and bruises to their faces, according to the district attorney's office.

"We've seen more of these in the '70s and '80s," District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said in describing the fight. "This was more like a donnybrook going on between police and people...and for the last decade, I would call this a very unusual case."

A preliminary hearing has been set for July 19.

An attorney representing the Rapadas could not yet be reached.


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