An illegal street takeover near Portland's Lloyd Center ended with citations, towed cars, and three seized firearms early Monday after police moved in on a crowd gathered at NE 13th Avenue and NE Multnomah Street.
Officers reported finding roughly 50 to 100 people packed into the intersection and stopped multiple vehicles, including a Ford Mustang and a black Mazda. Police detained three people at the scene, and both cars were towed as part of the enforcement push. There were no immediate reports of injuries.
According to KPTV, officers were first alerted to possible takeover activity in the areas of Northeast 158th Avenue and Northeast Airport Way before shifting to the Lloyd Center area. KPTV reports that the Mustang was seen performing dangerous stunts while the Mazda was allegedly used to control traffic around the intersection. The station says three firearms were seized during traffic stops and that four people were cited in connection with the incident.
How police are responding
The Portland Police Bureau has been running targeted missions to disrupt street takeovers, making dozens of traffic stops, towing vehicles, and seizing weapons in previous operations. The bureau has revised its towing policy and says cars used in street racing or takeover events can be submitted for criminal forfeiture under state rules, according to the Portland Police Bureau. PPB says it coordinates with the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office to decide when to pursue forfeiture or charges.
A familiar flashpoint near Lloyd Center
The Lloyd Center area has repeatedly drawn large car gatherings and police responses in recent years as groups move through multiple neighborhoods. In a widely reported episode in August 2025, participants allegedly launched mortar-style fireworks from a parking structure at officers as the crowd moved toward the mall, as reported by Police1. Those recurring incidents have helped shape the bureau’s enforcement priorities around locations where takeovers frequently form.
Legal stakes for cars and drivers
Oregon’s 2023 Senate Bill 615 increased penalties for organized street racing and gave prosecutors authority to seek criminal forfeiture of vehicles tied to that conduct, the Senate Majority Office said in its press release. The Portland Police Bureau has pointed to that law and its revised Directive 0630.60 as tools to detain, tow, and, when appropriate, refer cars for forfeiture in coordination with the Multnomah County DA. Those measures are intended to deter repeat organizers and reduce the risk such gatherings pose to bystanders.
For more on the stops and the timeline from this morning, see KPTV, which includes the police account of the scene. This story will be updated if the Portland Police Bureau or the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office releases additional information.
