Los Angeles police arrested 78 people and impounded 78 minibikes during a street takeover on the 6th Street Bridge on Sunday, authorities said.
Officers with the LAPD Street Racing Task Force encountered a group of more than 70 riders—many of them minors—operating unauthorized motorized minibikes while blocking the bridge, performing doughnuts and wheelies, riding on the wrong side of the roadway, and weaving in and out of traffic. All violators were cited for riding illegal bikes on city streets, and parents were notified to take custody of their children.
The operation began after police received intelligence about a planned takeover involving e-bikes and minibikes, according to Sgt. Robert Leary of the LAPD Street Racing Task Force. Officers surrounded the riders on the bridge and took them into custody without incident. Two vehicles were also impounded for allegedly aiding and abetting the activity.
Police rationale and safety concerns
The LAPD described the activity as dangerous, citing the lack of required safety equipment, low visibility, and high instability of minibikes. Authorities warned that improper use on roadways could lead to catastrophic injury for riders, motorists, and pedestrians. The department emphasized that the operation was conducted with caution due to the presence of young participants.
Participant perspectives
A father and his 13-year-old daughter, Marvin and Leilani Deleon, told reporters they were participating in a birthday rideout when they were cited and had their bikes impounded. Marvin Deleon said the enforcement left him and other parents frustrated, though he acknowledged the risks involved.
Enforcement details and outcomes
All arrested individuals were cited for riding illegal bikes, and parents of minors were contacted to retrieve their children. The operation resulted in 78 misdemeanor arrests and the seizure of 78 minibikes, according to LAPD officials. Police had been monitoring the group due to a history of similar illegal activity, Deputy Chief German Hurtado told KTLA.
The 6th Street Bridge was temporarily closed during the operation, with officers lined up along the bridge as riders were detained. Parents waited behind yellow tape to take custody of their children, while tow vehicles removed the impounded bikes.