On 3/21/26 at 11:00 a.m., a road rage incident occurred in the city of Newport Beach between cyclists and a blue BMW sedan, according to the Newport Beach Police Department.
The NBPD traffic division opened an investigation into the incident and began conducting interviews and reviewing relevant video evidence.
On 3/26/26, investigators executed a search warrant in the city of Corona. At the conclusion of the warrant service, a male suspect (Samir Sweiss, resident of Corona) was arrested for 245(A)(1)PC- assault with a deadly weapon and 148(a)(1)PC- obstruct/delay arrest related to the above-mentioned incident.
Additionally, a blue BMW M3 was seized from the residence as evidence. The investigation is still ongoing, and no further information will be released at this time.
Anyone with additional information can contact Sergeant Sabrina Fabbri at sfabbri@nbpd.org.
Editor’s Note – The surname “Sweiss” (or the variation “Sweis”) is a common last name primarily rooted in Middle Eastern Arabic-speaking populations, particularly within the Jordanian and Palestinian Christian communities.
Legal Penalties Faced by the Suspect
Based on the charges filed by the Newport Beach Police Department, the suspect,
Samir Sweiss, faces significant penalties under the California Penal Code. The most severe charge is Assault with a Deadly Weapon (PC 245(a)(1)), which in this context refers to the use of a motor vehicle as the weapon.
Assault with a Deadly Weapon (PC 245(a)(1))
This charge is a “wobbler,” meaning prosecutors can file it as either a misdemeanor or a felony based on the severity of the incident and the suspect’s criminal history.
- Felony Penalties:
- Imprisonment: 2, 3, or 4 years in a California state prison.
- Fines: Up to $10,000.
- Three Strikes Law: A felony conviction counts as a “strike,” which can lead to doubled sentences for future felonies.
- Additional Terms: Formal probation and loss of firearm rights.
- Misdemeanor Penalties:
- Jail Time: Up to one year in county jail.
- Fines: Between $1,000 and $10,000, depending on the court’s discretion.
- Probation: Informal (summary) probation for up to three years.
Obstructing or Delaying an Officer (PC 148(a)(1))
This charge is strictly a misdemeanor in California.
- Jail Time: Up to one year in county jail.
- Fines: A maximum fine of $1,000.
- Additional Penalties: Both jail time and a fine may be imposed simultaneously.
Additional Consequences
- Evidence Seizure: The suspect’s blue BMW M3 was seized as evidence. If convicted, the vehicle could be deemed a “nuisance” and potentially confiscated or destroyed.
- Victim Restitution: The court may order the suspect to pay for any damages or injuries caused to the cyclists.
- Mandatory Programs: Convicted individuals are often required to complete anger management or community service.
In regard to the Editor’s Note it’s in bad taste, no need to identify the ethnicity and religion of the suspect, this will only cause discrimination and splits the community specially with the war in the Middle East
To be honest I’m a history nut and I find name origins to be interesting.
Come on Art, don’t you know that’s not allowed by the Speech Police!
LOL!
Why are we speculating on surname origins in the Editor Notes of a criminal report? Is this amateur hour? Are you a college student? Stick to the prompt. You sound like you’re giddy to announce that the guy might have Palestinian ancestors. To say it’s weird is the kindest, most generous spin I can give you on this.
I think our readers find this intersting although you obviously don’t. Sorry but we are not given to being ordered by the thought police. Moreover if anyone did damage to the culture in question it was the suspect, who was arrested for road rage involving cyclists. He ought to be the one apologizing to his entire community for giving them a bad name.
What this editor’s note does is fly in the face of journalistic standards for neutral reporting. When you make it a “historical tidbit”, given the CURRENT CONTEXT of the situation happening over in the Middle East, one can easily infer an anti-Palestinian attitude from your note.
This is the problem. I suggest you delete it, and instead discuss the name’s origins in a podcast or publication that ACTUALLY focuses on history in the Levant. Not in a news article intended to inform locals about an individual’s criminal conduct – only hack writers do that when they are trying to stir up anti-whatever sentiment.
Are you a hack writer, Art?
So no comment on the suspect’s responsibility? He dug this hole. You should be angry at him.
If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck , it’s most likely a duck. Plant your feet in reality, make observations and comments from there and you will be better off. Or, you could just STFU. You’re definitely biased.
What did the suspect say to the cyclists during the road rage?
I think he drove at them and probably cursed them out. Dumb!
A white line and/or green paint is a lame half ass way to make a bike rider feel safe. Thank you Mayor amuezca for the mcfadden, bristol (wish it ran entire length) and warner real bike lanes, I’d probably never drive my truck if 1st, 17th, and tustin ave had them.