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Limo Carrying Stockton Mayor Anthony Silva Trashed By Occupants During Altercation

STOCKTON (CBS13) — A limo left in shambles, trashed by a group of customers.

But even though Stockton Mayor Anthony Silva is in the spotlight, he refused to talk on camera on Thursday.

The incident happened in December when a limo driver says he was driving a group, including Silva and his close associate Glenn Jose. Jose told CBS13 it was so hectic in the limo, he got out on the side of the freeway and found a different way home.

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Photos show the inside of a ripped-apart limo and tell the story of a December night gone wrong—broken glass, kicked-in televisions, and blood stains. The limo driver didn't expect any trouble. He says he was excited to drive a group with the mayor of Stockton.

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"Well I got a call that the mayor wanted to be picked up and be taken down to The Mix in Downtown Sacramento, so went to his house and picked up his group," the driver said.

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It was on the way back, south on Highway 99 near Twin Cities Road when the limo driver called 911, according to a California Highway Patrol arrest report obtained by CBS13.

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"One of the guys became pretty violent and started thrashing the car pretty good," he said. "And it was about $7,000 to $10,000 damage to my car."

The driver took a picture early-morning hours of Dec. 14 after he pulled over with the police in the Raley's parking lot near Galt. The arrest report alleges everyone inside the limousine was "heavily intoxicated."

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According to that report, and court records, a man named Curtis Mitchell is accused of beating up his fiancee and vandalizing the limo. The arrest report alleges Mitchell also had controlled substances.

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The Sacramento County District Attorney's Office says Mitchell had pills on him, but says that charge was not filed due to lack of evidence.

Silva admitted he himself was briefly in handcuffs while police sorted it all out. Stockton's mayor was not arrested or charged with a crime, and says he did nothing wrong.

The limo driver says Silva was vocal with police.

"He was just telling them that he was the Mayor, and they told him you just need to sit down, we don't care who you are, you need to sit down and be quiet," he said. "He was just pretty much being arrogant."

Silva refused an on-camera interview for the story. Over the phone, he said he was there to witness the fight, but says he doesn't know Mitchell well and had nothing to do with the altercation.

Stockton City Councilman Elbert Holman was dismayed to learn of the incident.

"I think as a leader in the community you have to be careful with who you surround yourself with," he said. "I apologize to the citizens of Stockton on the behalf of my colleagues on the council. I think they deserve better."

The limo driver says it was just his third job. Now, months and thousands of dollars later, he says his ride is finally repaired.

"You'd think you'd pick someone up who's an official, you'd think they'd be a respectable party to take out," he said.

The limo driver has hired a lawyer, saying he hasn't been paid for the damage.

Curtis Mitchell's case on the vandalism and corporal injury charges was continued on Wednesday. He's due back in court on Wednesday.

The Sacramento County District Attorney's Office released the following statement:

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"Because a criminal case has been filed and criminal charges are still pending, it is considered an open investigation. We will not comment on the nature of any ongoing investigation on the matter."

After speaking with CBS13, but before this story aired, Silva sent a text message statement to the Stockton Record distancing himself from Mitchell's conduct.

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