A crowd vandalized a Waymo vehicle near the Beverly Center in a video that was posted on social media. (photo courtesy of onsceen.tv/YouTube)

A group of suspects caused significant damage to a Waymo driverless ride-hailing vehicle on Jan. 25 while the unoccupied car was stopped in traffic near the Beverly Center.

Police received multiple 911 calls about the incident, including one from a passerby around 4 a.m. who reported that a group of approximately 100 people, including many juveniles, attempted a street takeover near Third Street and La Cienega Boulevard. The caller also said the group was vandalizing a Waymo vehicle and they heard gunfire or fireworks.

Minutes later the group dispersed, police said. Another 911 caller reported the group was fleeing the area and the suspects were gone when officers arrived. They found no evidence of a shooting, but officers located the white Jaguar belonging to Waymo, which had its windows smashed, passenger door pried open and the interior damaged. Multiple videos of the vandalism incident were posted on social media.

Officers contacted Waymo using a passenger smart screen inside the vehicle. A Waymo representative met officers at the scene and took custody of the car.

Lt. Mark Ro, with the LAPD’s Wilshire Division, said detectives are working with Waymo to obtain video footage from the vehicle, which is equipped with “hundreds” of cameras that help it navigate city streets. No arrests have been made but police are confident they will be able to identify the suspects involved based on the video.

Waymo spokesperson Julia Ilina confirmed the vehicle was stopped at a red light on Third Street when the vandalism took place. She added that Waymo is working with police to identify the suspects.

“We condemn any form of vandalism to property and are working closely with local safety officials,” Ilina said. “While these sorts of events are rare, we take them extremely seriously and remain committed to improving road safety and mobility in the cities where we operate.”

She added that Waymo has approximately 100 vehicles in Los Angeles. Waymo also operates driverless ride-hailing vehicles in Phoenix and San Francisco. A Waymo car was vandalized in the Bay Area last year and the incident was also caught on video and posted on social media.

The cars are equipped with technology to deter vandalism, including being able to move away from the scene, emitting audio signals and contacting authorities, she added. It is unclear if any of the preventative measures occurred during the Jan. 25 incident on Third Street.

Anyone with information is urged to call Wilshire Division detectives at (213)473-0476.