Los Angeles police arrested 69 individuals and impounded 200 vehicles during a large-scale operation targeting an illegal street takeover early Saturday. The event, which drew an estimated 700 participants, occurred near South Figueroa Street and West Alondra Boulevard around 2 a.m.
Law enforcement issued 570 citations and recovered seven firearms during the crackdown, dubbed “Operation Street Sweeper.” The operation involved officers from the Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and the California Highway Patrol. Aerial footage captured the chaotic scene, showing hundreds of people attempting to flee as officers surrounded the intersection.
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell stated that the operation was months in the planning, with investigators using intelligence and drone technology to anticipate the locations of four separate street takeovers. This allowed officers to move in effectively before participants could disperse.
“This is not harmless fun. This is criminal behavior,” McDonnell said at a press conference. “Your children are participating in an active crime scene where they are lawfully subject to immediate arrest and exposed to harm.”
Residents living near the intersection described the commotion as sounding like an explosion, expressing frustration with the recurring illegal gatherings. At least one impounded vehicle caught fire during the operation, according to authorities.
Street takeovers have become a persistent issue in Los Angeles County, often associated with dangerous driving, violence, and other criminal activities, including robberies at nearby businesses. The Sheriff’s Department has indicated a commitment to prosecuting organizers and participants through arrests, citations, vehicle impounds, and criminal charges.