The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Wednesday detailed measures launched to combat the wave of street takeovers and associated crimes that have plagued the county recently.
In the wake of a couple of such takeovers last weekend, the department said it is working to “identify and hold organizers and participants accountable through arrests, vehicle impounds, citations and criminal prosecution.”
In one of two recent cases, deputies responded at about 11:15 p.m. Sunday to the intersection of Downey Road and Olympic Boulevard in East Los Angeles, where over 100 vehicles were reportedly present, according to the LASD.
California Highway Patrol officers assisted deputies in getting the vehicles to disperse west on Olympic Boulevard but after the scene was cleared they learned three masked males entered a restaurant in the 4200 block of Olympic Boulevard through the drive-thru window during the street takeover, officials said.
News reports identified the location as a Jack in the Box restaurant.
“One suspect simulated possessing a firearm in his waistband, which caused the employees to fear for their safety and flee into a locked office,” according to an LASD statement. “The suspects took two cash registers containing an unknown amount of money and fled the location in an unknown direction. No employees were injured. No suspects have been identified or arrested at this time. East Los Angeles Sheriff’s Station detectives are investigating this incident.”
On Saturday, detectives assigned to the LASD Detective Division’s Street Racing Task Force conducted a targeted enforcement operation focusing on illegally modified vehicles in Compton, Carson, Lakewood, East Los Angeles and Lynwood, “where street racing and street takeover activity frequently occur,” according to the department.
During enforcement stops, 19 citations were issued for alleged violations including illegal modifications, missing license plates and unregistered vehicles. Six people were arrested on suspicion of violations including reckless driving, exhibition of speed, driving with a suspended license and evading a peace officer and four vehicles were impounded for 30 days, according to the sheriff’s department.
“Detectives assigned to the task force stated they will continue to aggressively enforce the law, combat these ongoing activities and work to restore peace and safety to the communities the department serves,” according to the LASD, which said organizers who advertise or promote the takeovers could be criminally prosecuted.
“We remain steadfast in our efforts to identify and hold organizers and participants accountable through arrests, vehicle impounds, citations and criminal prosecution,” according to the sheriff’s department. “In addition, East Los Angeles Sheriff’s Station Special Assignment Team deputies have received specialized training from the California Highway Patrol and (the) Detective Division’s Taskforce for Regional Autotheft Prevention in recognizing illegal modifications on vehicles commonly present during vehicle takeovers and street racing operations. These vehicles are then cited and referred to the California Smog Check Referee Program, which provides specialized vehicle inspections regarding modified vehicle emissions inspections.”
Investigators at the sheriff’s East Los Angeles station have shared their enforcement strategies with other LASD stations, providing training and operational guidance in dealing with the takeovers.
“The department remains committed to protecting our community and addressing the dangers posed by illegal street racing and takeovers,” the LASD statement said. “Illegal street takeovers are not harmless entertainment; they often attract large crowds, reckless driving, illegal firearms and other criminal activity that threaten the safety of our entire community. We continue to aggressively combat illegal street takeovers through proactive enforcement, intelligence-led operations, the use of drones and other technology and strong partnerships with the California Highway Patrol, LAPD Street Takeover Taskforce and other law enforcement partners. Together, we conduct coordinated enforcement operations targeting organizers, participants, spectators engaged in criminal activity and vehicles used during illegal street racing and takeovers.”
Patrol stations have also partnered with the Sheriff’s Information Bureau to use social media channels to educate the public.