The rubbers met the road for San Diego street hooligans as the local police force and the California Highway Patrol put the brakes on illegal sideshow activities. Following recent attempts to clamp down on these car-based spectacles, authorities have confiscated 13 vehicles involved in events that endangered lives and vandalized property.

An announcement from the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) revealed a crackdown in partnership with California Highway Patrol (CHP), targeting individuals linked to several disruptive sideshow events across the county. On April 30 and May 2, officers from the SDPD and CHP executed court orders to seize the vehicles. In a statement obtained by San Diego's official website, they arrested two people on charges including felony vandalism and reckless driving.

The crackdown follows a pair of sideshow takeovers, drawing sizable crowds and culminating in significant property damage. On February 24, about 200 enthusiasts swarmed intersections across Mira Mesa, La Jolla Village, and Downtown San Diego, causing an estimated $24,000 in damages. Another incident on March 10, involved an unpermitted gathering in a Target parking lot on Mira Mesa Blvd., resulting in over $15,000 of destruction.

Law enforcement is actively searching for more suspects and vehicles connected to the sideshows and has warned that strewn charges are pending for multiple participants. These events not only threaten the safety of innocent bystanders but have also left a costly mark on public infrastructures and private properties. Those identified as being part of these unlawful spectacles can expect to face arrest and prosecution to the full extent of the law.