Seven suspects have been arrested in San Jose, and police are on the hunt for two more in connection with organizing over 20 sideshows throughout the Bay Area. Known as "The Hockey Team," these individuals allegedly utilized Instagram to coordinate these illegal events, drawing large crowds and causing widespread disruption since 2020.
In a crackdown dubbed "Operation Penalty Box," the San Jose Police took decisive action to tackle the issue, a growing concern for local authorities. "No longer can the masterminds of this illegal activity hide behind their Instagram accounts without the fear of consequences," San Jose Police Chief Paul Joseph stated in a press conference, as the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
The group's actions caused property damage and injuries and strained police resources, resulting in delayed responses to other emergency calls. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan clarified the stakes by explaining, "Imagine being responsible for delaying help to those in need," according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The mayor's comments encapsulate the broader community risks that sideshows pose.
According to the KTVU report, the group is implicated in organizing at least 22 sideshows since 2020, which have led to multiple injuries, including six pedestrians suffering major injuries and assaults on two police officers. The seven individuals arrested face various charges, with the incident also illustrating the effectiveness of San Jose's new ordinance against promoting or observing sideshows, as mentioned by DA Jay Boyarsky, who asserted that the defendants "created a culture of lawlessness."
Chief Paul Joseph suggested, "San Jose is truly a model and is leading the way in how communities can respond to the sideshow epidemic," as stated by KTVU, signaling a robust and proactive stance against these unlawful gatherings. The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office pointed out, as per Henry K. Lee's social media post, that the grand jury indictment paves the way for the suspects, now facing conspiracy charges, to enter pleas. Should they be convicted, it is expected to serve as a deterrent to those considering participating in or promoting sideshows in the future.
OPERATION PENALTY BOX: 7 arrested, 2 others wanted, all
— Henry K. Lee (@henrykleeKTVU) November 1, 2024
indicted for violating @CityofSanJose law barring promotion of sideshows, per @SanJosePD #SantaClaraDA, @MattMahanSJ, adding group calling themselves “Hockey Team” organized at least 22 large-scale sideshows since 2020 pic.twitter.com/7ZvTAyPMxg
