Nearly 70 Arrested in Los Angeles Street Takeover Bust

Operation Street Sweeper Ends With 69 Arrests

Los Angeles police arrested 69 people, issued 570 citations and impounded 200 vehicles after surrounding a street takeover that drew more than 700 people to a Harbor Gateway intersection. The coordinated enforcement action unfolded early Sept. 5 near South Figueroa Street and West Alondra Boulevard, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.

LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said 66 people were arrested on suspicion of participating in or aiding a street race or takeover. Three additional arrests involved allegations of assaulting an officer, battery and obstructing or interfering with officers.

Police said no LAPD officers were injured. Seven firearms and canisters of nitrous oxide were recovered during the operation.

Drones and Intelligence Tracked Multiple Takeovers

ABC7 reported that LAPD’s Street Racing Task Force used intelligence gathering and drone technology to track several street takeovers through the night. The operation culminated at the Harbor Gateway intersection around 2 to 3:20 a.m.

More than 150 LAPD officers were deployed, with additional personnel from the California Highway Patrol and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Officers surrounded the gathering rather than allowing drivers and spectators to scatter when police arrived.

CBS Los Angeles reported that tow trucks and buses had been staged as part of the planned response. The equipment was used to remove vehicles and transport people taken into custody.

Police said the operation was planned after task-force investigators followed multiple takeover gatherings using drones and other intelligence. Officers then concentrated resources at the Figueroa and Alondra intersection rather than dispersing units across several locations.

Video reviewed by CBS showed some people trying to leave the area as officers closed streets around the gathering. Police said some attendees ran through nearby yards, and several vehicles crashed while attempting to get away.

Hundreds of Spectators Received Citations

Of the 570 citations, ABC7 reported that 442 were issued for being a spectator at a speed contest or exhibition of speed. Another 128 citations were issued to juveniles accused of violating Los Angeles’ 10 p.m. curfew.

Police said the youngest cited juvenile was 11. Authorities did not release the identities of minors, and no minor names are included in the reporting used here.

One impounded vehicle caught fire during the operation. Police did not report an officer injury in connection with that incident.

Two Hundred Vehicles Were Impounded

LAPD impounded 200 vehicles from the scene. The scale of the vehicle removals was one of the most visible parts of the operation, with a fleet of tow trucks used to clear the intersection.

CBS Los Angeles reported that Chief McDonnell said some impounded vehicles were stolen, rented or borrowed from people who were not at the takeover. Authorities did not release a vehicle-by-vehicle breakdown in the reports reviewed for this article.

McDonnell also said social media can allow a takeover to be organized and underway within about 20 minutes, a factor the department cited in explaining its use of intelligence and aerial monitoring.

McDonnell said the department plans to continue targeted enforcement against illegal street takeovers. Los Angeles County agencies have also expanded street-racing task-force work as takeovers have continued across the region.

The arrests and citations are accusations and enforcement actions, not convictions. Individual cases will proceed according to the specific offense alleged against each person.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass thanked LAPD for the operation and said the city would continue using prevention, deterrence and enforcement against street takeovers, according to ABC7.

LAPD said Operation Street Sweeper was intended as the start of a broader enforcement effort. Any additional arrests or prosecutions will depend on follow-up investigations and court filings.

References: LAPD makes nearly 70 arrests in massive street takeover bust | Los Angeles police tow hundreds of cars during street takeover bust