Police and prosecutors Monday are expected to announce plans for putting the kibosh on the growing trend of street takeovers in Los Angeles.
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The takeovers, often associated with the looting of auto parts stores and other retail businesses that are typically closed when set upon by small mobs, have been a near-weekly occurrence in the city.
On Monday afternoon, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman will be joined by law enforcement officials for a news conference at the downtown Hall of Justice to provide information about reducing the illegal happenings.
The takeovers follow a typical pattern: Auto enthusiasts block a stretch of a street, or sometimes even a freeway, while some do "donuts" or spin their tires in a smoky display of power. Several takeovers, like one in the 4300 block of South Main Street near Vernon Avenue in South Los Angeles, have ended with a nearby store being looted.
In that case, the culprits left behind a large amount of broken glass along with scattered merchandise in the store's parking lot.
A woman in her 20s was fatally injured after she was struck by a vehicle doing "donuts" during a street takeover in the Hyde Park community of South LA on Christmas night in 2022.
In April 2024, Los Angeles Police Department investigators asked for the public's help to identify a motorist involved in a South Los Angeles street takeover, as well as a woman who was seen on video being struck and injured by the suspect's vehicle.
That takeover at the intersection of Manchester Avenue and San Pedro Street was watched by a crowd of hundreds of people. Video released by the LAPD showed a red Infiniti G37 striking a group of people, including a woman who was left bleeding from the head and unconscious. Bystanders later picked her up and carried her off.
In 2022, the LAPD was forced to shut down the Sixth Street Viaduct, a 3,500-foot bridge between Boyle Heights and downtown Los Angeles, two weeks after it opened because it was such a popular spot for takeovers reminiscent of the "Fast and Furious" movies.
In addition to driving stunts, other takeovers have involved street racing and have led to violence, including gunfire.
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