Listen To Story Above
Maurice Benaim had no lofty ambitions for how he’d spend the remainder of his Saturday last month in Los Angeles. “My day was so ordinary,” Benaim recounted to KNBC-TV. “All I wanted to do was visit the store, purchase my tangerine juice, perhaps grab some food, and watch the Lakers game.”
However, a gang of 20 to 30 teenagers riding bicycles altered the course of events.
Benaim — who was driving his vehicle — informed KNBC that the bicycle-riding teens took control of the intersection of San Vicente Boulevard and Carillo Drive around 5 p.m. on Feb. 22. The location is approximately 10 minutes southeast of Beverly Hills.
Benaim stated to the station that he honked his horn to alert one of the riders. “I was trying to notify the kid that [the traffic light is] turning red, and I’m going to be right behind you — and make sure he doesn’t hit me,” he recounted to KNBC.
Southern California man violently beaten by mob of teen bicyclists speaks out
A man recalls the terrifying moment he was violently beaten by a group of teen bicyclists in Los Angeles.
The incident happened on Feb. 22 as the victim, Maurice Benaim, 28, was driving near San Vicente pic.twitter.com/tMfN4Rzooj— Digital Surveillance (@Seccamsla) March 2, 2025
Then, Benaim told the station, “His friend gets upset.”
With that, the bike riders threatened Benaim, allegedly told him one of them had a gun, and then smashed his right taillight, KNBC said.
Benaim stopped his car and got out, the station said, adding that he was immediately overwhelmed as bike riders surrounded him and began viciously punching, kicking, and stomping him.
“I was trying to notify the kid that [the traffic light is] turning red, and I’m going to be right behind you — and make sure he doesn’t hit me,” he recounted to KNBC.
Cellphone video shows the mob of at least a dozen beating up the lone man who winds up flat on his back, barely moving in the middle of the busy street. Los Angeles Police said the attacking bike riders are between 16 and 18 years old. They all fled before officers and first responders arrived.
A KTLA-TV video report noted that the bike riders were “attacking cars all along” San Vicente Boulevard when one man called them out.
🚨JUST IN: Man speaks out after being brutally beaten by a mob of bicyclists in Los Angeles
Maurice Benaim, 28, suffered lacerations, bruises, head trauma, severe pain, possible fractured ribs, and emotional trauma
He was driving when he saw 20 to 30 teen bicyclists blocking… pic.twitter.com/m17NSUPoAB
— Unlimited L's (@unlimited_ls) March 1, 2025
Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to the scene and treated the victim, who sustained minor and visible injuries, police said, adding that the victim declined to be taken to the hospital.
Benaim suffered injuries to his head and face, KNBC said. Nearly a week after the attack, he told the station he’s still in pain and struggles with sleep due to his injuries as well as the emotional and psychological toll the attack had on him. “Daily, it gets better,” he added to the station. “I find something to be happy about.”
In the wake of the beatdown, two teens have been charged with assault with a deadly weapon, KCAL-TV reported, citing the office of city Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, who represents the area where the attack took place. The suspects’ identities were not released, KABC-TV said.
Benaim told KNBC he hopes that by sharing his story the rest of the suspects will come forward and recognize the impact of their actions: “I just hope it’s a sign for them and their friends to maybe put down the violence.”
