LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said that police and prosecutors were “absolutely laser-focused” on stopping the growing trend of street takeovers in Los Angeles.
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.
“We will not yield the streets to these illegal street takeovers,” Hochman said Aug. 11, standing alongside various law enforcement officials at a news conference at the downtown Hall of Justice.
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 recently 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.
Hundreds of spectators and participants are usually notified of the events through sometimes encrypted social media. They are told at which intersection to meet up and at what time. Sometimes up to 40 cars participate and hundreds of people gather round to watch the potentially deadly action, Hochman said.
The events are often monetized and live-streamed.
“The promoters are trying to make money, the drivers are trying to improve their street cred,” the district attorney told reporters.
A 24-year-old woman, Elyzza Guajaca, was fatally injured after she was struck by a vehicle doing “donuts” during a street takeover in the Hyde Park community of South L.A. on Christmas night in 2022. An Orange County man who pleaded no contest in connection with the street takeover that resulted in the crash that killed the nursing student was sentenced Aug. 8 to 13 years in prison.
Dante Terrel Chapple-Young was doing “donuts” in his 2011 Chevrolet Camaro when he lost control of his vehicle after clipping a tow truck that was parked in the intersection of Florence Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard, with the Camaro careening into a group of bystanders on Dec. 25, 2022, Hochman said.
Los Angeles police said the driver abandoned the vehicle and ran away.
Chapple-Young — who has since appeared in a public service announcement warning about the dangers of street takeovers — was arrested about 2 1/2 weeks later in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He waived extradition to Los Angeles County, where he was initially charged with one count each of murder and hit-and-run driving resulting in death.
That public service announcement was played for reporters at the Aug. 11 news conference. In the video, Chapple-Young is seen in jail clothing, sitting in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom. He said he was “doing my donuts … (and) my car goes into a crowd of people.”
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.
“The drivers are engaged in a wide variety of criminal conduct,” Hochman said, adding that those convicted of injuring or killing others could face multiple years behind bars, while promoters and spectators may also face jail time and high money fines if convicted.
According to the LAPD, three young people have lost their lives in street racing activities since the start of the year.
Officials said individuals arrested for participating in street takeovers could face misdemeanor charges, including reckless driving (up to 90 days in county jail and/or a $1,000 fine), speed exhibition (up to 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine) or being a spectator at illegal takeovers (up to 180 days in jail and/or a $500 fine).
Participants who injure or kill someone may face felony charges.
Besides partnering with law enforcement agencies, the District Attorney’s Office has joined with other county departments to develop and implement a street takeover reduction action plan. The plan’s goals include increasing youth education, expanding enforcement operations and installing deterrents at several intersections known to be takeover locations.
