A chaotic street takeover in Los Angeles drew more than 100 people into an intersection where drivers spun cars through crowds and left police struggling to respond.
The incident unfolded at Alondra Boulevard and Figueroa Street on March 22, where drivers performed high-speed donuts as spectators packed the roadway and stood alarmingly close to the vehicles.
Video from the scene showed a black sedan veering toward the crowd, forcing people to scatter. One person was struck but managed to get up and walk away.
As the chaos unfolded, a Metro Rapid bus carrying passengers became trapped as the crowd surrounded it and blocked its path.
Passengers looked on from inside while several individuals climbed onto the bus and others sprayed graffiti across its exterior, including the windshield.
Fireworks erupted in the middle of the intersection, sending people running as explosions echoed through the area.
The LAPD Street Racing Task Force was not available for the call, leaving just two patrol vehicles to handle the situation.
Sgt. Chris Carson described the challenge officers face when responding to these incidents.
“A lot of times, we get there and they’ve moved on,” Carson said. “The local residents don’t like it. We don’t like it. They take over a place and create a hazard. They block traffic.”
He added that limited manpower makes it difficult to make arrests.
“But we don’t have the people to go and grab everyone. They’ll run from us,” Carson continued.
No arrests were made in the Los Angeles takeover, though police impounded two vehicles.
Similar scenes played out across the country over the weekend, as large groups gathered for takeover-style events that escalated into fights, vandalism, and arrests.
In Glendale, Wisconsin, more than a dozen teenagers were arrested after fights broke out at Bayshore Mall during a widely shared takeover event.
Authorities said officers were already present after seeing online posts promoting the gathering, and police worked with mall management to increase security ahead of time.
Despite those efforts, hundreds of teens arrived Sunday afternoon, overwhelming the area and sparking multiple altercations.
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“We’re just trying to assist in prevention,” community leader Vaun Mayes said. “There’s been talk online of takeovers here and also at Mayfair. We just want to help security, police, and businesses to alleviate that as best we can.”
Video from the mall showed a crowd forming outside a Kohl’s store as a fight broke out near the entrance. One person appeared to be pushed through the front doors as onlookers shouted.
Another clip showed hooded teens running through the plaza, swinging at each other and dispersing as police moved in as police moved in.
Authorities said 13 individuals were taken into custody on charges including disorderly conduct, battery, and resisting an officer.
In Sacramento, surveillance footage captured a group of 25 to 30 juveniles storming a Chevron convenience store along Folsom Boulevard.
The video showed the group rushing inside, knocking items off shelves and throwing snacks and drinks across the store.
Chips, candy, and beverages filled the air as the group moved through the aisles, leaving behind heavy damage.
A lone employee remained inside as the group ransacked the store.
The Sacramento Police Department said the disturbance happened on March 19, but officers were not initially dispatched because a formal report had not yet been filed.
Days later, the business reported stolen items, prompting an official robbery report as investigators began looking into the incident.
Police said the group involved may be connected to other disturbances reported that same night.
In Maryland, a group of teens attacked and robbed a man inside a shopping mall earlier this month.
Montgomery County Police said nine suspects followed the victim into Wheaton Mall before confronting him around 11:30 a.m.
One suspect struck the victim from behind, and others joined in, beating him as he fell to the floor and stealing his shoes. The suspects then fled the mall.
Police stated that the group included three Hispanic females, five Hispanic males, and one Black male, all described as wearing dark sleeves and tan pants.
Investigators said the attack mirrors another incident at the same mall in February.
During that earlier case, a victim was approached in a restroom by seven suspects armed with knives.
Police said the group assaulted him and stabbed him in the arm before fleeing.
The victim survived and was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities are still searching for suspects connected to that case.
In North Carolina, a street takeover led to a direct confrontation between a driver and law enforcement.
Tanaezah Michelle Austin, 25, was charged after allegedly striking a police officer with her vehicle during a takeover in northwest Charlotte.
Officers were dispatched around 3:25 a.m. after reports of cars spinning in circles in a commercial lot, according to an arrest affidavit.
A black Kia Optima tried to exit as police moved in, and one officer stepped into its path to stop it.
The driver paused briefly while the officer stood ahead of the vehicle, then suddenly surged forward as the officer shifted toward the driver’s side. The car struck him and carried him up onto the hood before he fell off.
Police said the officer was in full uniform and giving commands to stop. He was taken to a hospital and treated for minor injuries.
Austin was later released on a $3,000 bond, a decision that drew criticism from law enforcement officials.
In Maryland, another takeover turned into a direct attack on police vehicles.
Video from Chevy Chase showed drivers blocking intersections and performing donuts while crowds gathered around the roadway.
Montgomery County Police said the activity began around 12:39 a.m. when a large caravan moved toward the Silver Spring business district.
Officers attempted to block intersections and control access, but dozens of vehicles still flooded into the area.
Dash camera footage showed individuals standing in the roadway to block police vehicles while drivers continued spinning cars nearby.
During the confrontation, two police cruisers were vandalized and had their windows smashed.
Maryland State Police responded to assist in clearing the scene.
Before the group got to Montgomery County, officers confiscated three handguns during traffic stops connected to the same members.
