One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
Hemet man charged in violent attacks against police
This image provided by the Hemet Police Department shows Nicholas John Smit who was arrested Friday July 2, 2010, being held on a suspicion of making a booby trap and assault on a police officer with intent to commit murder.
(
AP Photo/Hemet Police Department
)
A Riverside County jury has found a Hemet man guilty of masterminding a string of violent attacks against police officers.
Nicolas Smit was convicted of 11 felony counts, including attempted murder of a peace officer and conspiracy.
Smit’s brazen attacks against police began two years ago. Prosecutors say he or someone working for him rerouted a gas line in a failed attempt to trigger an explosion at a Hemet gang task force station. Smit was also convicted of creating or overseeing trip-wired booby traps, attempted car bombings, even a failed bazooka assault.
No one was hurt, but the attacks damaged police property and city vehicles.
Prosecutors say Smit was targeting a police detective who busted him two years ago for drug possession. Many of the attacks coincided with Smit’s scheduled court dates.
Nicolas Smit could receive life in prison when he’s sentenced for his crimes. His alleged accomplice faces trial later this year.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
