LAPD issues citations, impounds dozens of minibikes in massive 6th Street Bridge takeover bust
ABC7 spoke to a dad and daughter who were cited and had their bikes impounded.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A Los Angeles Police Department task force issued citations and impounded dozens of minibikes during a massive street takeover on Sunday, according to the department.
Officers with the Street Racing Task Force said it encountered more than 70 people "operating unauthorized motorized minibikes while blocking the [6th Street Bridge], performing donuts and wheelies, riding on the wrong side of the roadway, and weaving in and out of traffic."
LAPD said the group was being led by older adults, some of whom were identified as parents of the minor riders.
"This dangerous activity places riders, motorists, pedestrians, and other roadway users at risk while disrupting traffic and preventing residents from safely using public streets," LAPD wrote in a press release. "We approached this operation with an abundance of care and caution because these were young people — many who may not fully understand how dangerous these bikes can be when used on active roadways."
Police explained that minibikes, or pocket bikes, have no required safety equipment, low visibility and high instability. LAPD says one wrong move can lead to catastrophic injury.
Eyewitness News Reporter Jericho Tran spoke to two of the participants -- a father and his teenage daughter. They said they were participating in a birthday rideout.
Marvin Deleon and his 13-year-old daughter, Leilani Deleon, both received citations and had their bikes impounded after the street takeover bust.
“And you're making us parents look bad, because she’s 13, I'm her dad, but I allow her to ride, because I’m right next to her," Deleon explained.
"But as her dad, knowing that this could’ve been the outcome, are you OK that you still put her in this position?" Jericho asked.
"I’m not OK with the officers doing what they did, but I’m OK with us riding together and keeping our kids safe. As long as we ride together with them as a parent, it shouldn’t be a crime, and it shouldn’t be illegal for my daughter to be riding right next to her dad, riding and enjoying her minibike," Deleon said.
"I know, I understand, but that's subjective. The law is that they can't do this..." Jericho said.
"Where is the law that it says that?!" Deleon interjected. "You don't have a law! You don't have a law! Police don't even have nothing!"
"Police have said multiple times that they don’t want these street takeovers, and especially for younger kids," Jericho replied.
“It’s not a takeover! It’s a rideout! We're on motorcycles," Deleon said.
"Here's the thing, even though police have said that, you just admitted it. You just said that you knew this could be the outcome for your kid," Jericho said.
“They stopped us before, and they let us go. They don't say nothing. As long as they have helmets, they say don’t block traffic, don’t do nothing crazy," Deleon said.
Police estimate the ages of the people who participated in the street takeover are between 13 and 50.
“They zippy tied my wrists, and I have scars and all that, and they just kept us there. They blocked us in. We weren’t planning on to run or anything, we were just there," Leilani explained.
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Police say they stopped the large group after officers observed some of the young participants performing wheelies and disrupting traffic.
“We never stopped traffic. If that's what they're trying to say, we stopped traffic. We didn't stop no traffic,” Deleon said.
“We see what the traffic causes in the city, what these types of disturbances have caused throughout the city, and we're no longer going to tolerate this," said Deputy Chief German Hurtado.
LAPD says street takeovers are not limited to just cars -- they apply to mass gatherings of dirt bikes and motorcycles.
They also say small bikes with minor riders under the age of 18 are not legal on the streets.
Officers estimate about 70 people received citations on Sunday and about 70 bikes were impounded.
“My daughter is 13, legally by 14, you can ride," Deleon said. "And if she's riding with me, I'm next to her, she's riding safe. She's not committing no crimes."
"But legally that is a crime though, right?" Jericho asked.
"How is that a crime? You explain to me," Deleon asked.
"Because she's too young," Jericho explained.
"She's not... I mean, what is too young?" Deleon asked.
"It's definitely not 13. 13 is too young," Jericho replied.
"I don't think that's right... Show me the paper, proof, print where it says that it's illegal for them to ride at 13," Deleon said.
Despite Deleon's argument against the incident, he and his daughter received legal citations from LAPD. The department cited California Vehicle Code Section 21720.
Police emphasized that the focus of Sunday's bust was to educate and protect the majority underage participants.
"Officers contacted parents and guardians, explained the risks, and ensured every young person left the area without injury," LAPD said. "The goal was never to criminalize these young people, it was to prevent a tragedy on one of the city’s busiest and most iconic roadways."
LAPD issued over 500 citations at a different street takeover last week.
