Shirtless man attacks firefighters in South Los Angeles

A passerby captured the moments a shirtless man jumped onto a fire engine and attacked the crew while they were responding to a call in South Los Angeles.

It happened about a half mile away from Engine 16's station. The shirtless man runs into the street as the crew backs up the engine, delaying their response time to the traffic collision. 

The suspect then reaches inside the fire truck through an open window as a firefighter runs past the front of the truck and tries to pull him off but to no avail. 

Another firefighter then jumped out of the truck with what looked like a club and chased him away. Nearby residents denounced the shirtless man's actions, saying the firefighters were trying to do their job and help people. 

The Los Angeles County Fire Department said paramedics were called to check on the suspect before the LA County Sheriff's Department arrested him. 

Deputies said they arrested the suspect, 55-year-old Roland Leary, near the intersection of Central Avenue and Nadeau Street in the afternoon on June 7. 

He was booked on assault likely to produce great bodily injury on a peace officer and battery on a firefighter engaged in the performance of their duties. 

Leary is expected in court on June 25.

This wasn't the first time Fire Engine 16 ran into trouble while on calls. Firefighters said people jumped on the engine during a street takeover a few months ago.