LAPD makes nearly 70 arrests in massive street takeover bust; 570 citations issued for spectators
Los Angeles police called the massive takeover bust "Operation Street Sweeper."
HARBOR GATEWAY, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Dozens of arrests were made and hundreds of citations were issued when the Los Angeles Police Department completed "Operation Street Sweeper" overnight, busting a Harbor Gateway street takeover.
A fleet of tow trucks and buses was called to the scene to arrest drivers and spectators and impound vehicles.
According to LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, "Operation Street Sweeper" was planned ahead of time using intelligence gathering and drone technology that helped officers predict the locations of four separate street takeovers.
The operation conducted by LAPD's Street Racing Task Force culminated in a massive scene at the intersection of South Figueroa Street and West Alondra Boulevard around 2 a.m. LAPD said over 700 people were gathered for an illegal street takeover at the intersection.
More than 150 LAPD officers were deployed to the scene and surrounded the massive gathering, taking dozens of people into custody and citing hundreds more.
In total, McDonnell said 66 people were arrested for participating in or aiding in a street race or takeover. Three additional arrests were made: one for assaulting an officer, one for battery and one for obstructing or interfering with officers.
In addition to the nearly 70 arrests, 570 citations were issued, McDonnell said. Of those 570 citations, 442 were issued for being a spectator at a speed contest or exhibition of speed. An additional 128 citations were issued for juveniles who were out past the city of Los Angeles' 10 p.m. curfew for minors. McDonnell said the youngest person was just 11 years old.
Law enforcement impounded a total of 200 vehicles from the scene, and in the process of making arrests and issuing citations, McDonnell said seven firearms were recovered. Canisters of nitrous oxide were reportedly also recovered.
McDonnell added that during the operation, one of the vehicles that was impounded caught fire.
"This is not harmless fun. This is criminal behavior. Your children are participating in an active crime scene where they are lawfully subject to immediate arrest and exposed to harm," McDonnell said at a press conference announcing the arrests. "Parents -- know where your kids are. Watch out for them and have serious talks with them about what they are dealing with here... one single reckless decision can ruin or take their life."
Eyewitness News also spoke with a street takeover participant who wanted to remain anonymous and was among the crowd of people who received citations for being spectators.
"So I always watch my surroundings. I make sure I ain't wearing no jewelry, because that's what most people do. They go with their guns, and they try to rob people with jewelry," the participant said. "We seen one cop light turn on, and then we seen a whole bunch, and we were trying to drive around to find an exit to leave, but we noticed that the cops came deep and all intersections, so they blocked off every street and every alley."
McDonnell noted that LAPD will continue to bust illegal street takeovers.
"This morning was only the beginning... if you're there, we're going to be there, too," he warned.
In addition to over 150 LAPD officers, McDonnell said deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and California Highway Patrol officers also responded to the scene.
Exclusive video: Masked thieves ransack Bellflower gas station store during street takeover
Video from the scene showed a large contingent of law enforcement personnel at the scene, including an LAPD bus.
In an interview, a resident who lives in the area said illegal street takeovers are often held at the intersection of Figueroa and Alondra.
"It's dangerous," said the woman, who declined to be publicly identified. "There's debris out here. It's just dangerous. They set off fireworks. No respect for anybody around here."
John and Leilani Moore, who live in the area, shared Ring camera video with Eyewitness News that shows teens hopping fences through their backyard to evade police.
"There were a couple of females with them. They were helping them over the gate. They damaged some stuff," John Moore said.
"I'm thinking, 'Did a bomb go off?!'" said neighbor Maple Patton, who lives just steps away from the early Saturday morning pandemonium. "Every weekend, they're taking over, and I'm thinking, 'We gotta do something to stop this.'"
Mayor Karen Bass thanked LAPD for its successful operation, saying, in part, "We will continue to prioritize prevention, deterrence, and enforcement to protect Angelenos, businesses, and neighborhoods and ensure those involved face consequences."
These street takeovers aren't new. The ABC7 On Your Side Investigation team joined in on a ride-along with police earlier this summer, where we got a closer look at how police are stopping these takeovers.
READ MORE: Street takeovers drop across LA County, but deputies say the dangerous trend isn't going away
The illegal street takeovers have plagued the county for the last few years but have increased markedly in recent weeks, with some takeovers leading to robberies of nearby retail stores. Until recently, most of the takeovers resulted in no arrests, as participants and spectators scatter when police arrive.
Last month, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department detailed measures it has launched to combat the wave of street takeovers and associated crimes, saying it was working to "identify and hold organizers and participants accountable through arrests, vehicle impounds, citations and criminal prosecution."
The LASD Detective Division has also formed a Street Racing Task Force.
City News Service contributed to this report.
