By Joanna Putman
Police1
STOCKTON, Calif. — After a successful street takeover bust, the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office is keeping seized vehicles for as long as possible and seeking to destroy some, KRCA reported.
Deputies on the San Joaquin County Sideshow Task Force seized nearly 90 vehicles from a Feb. 3 sideshow, according to the report. The sheriff’s office says the task force was able to infiltrate the group, gathering intelligence about the intended location for initiating sideshow activities. As a result, more than 150 people were detained following the sideshow, several of whom were arrested.
Sheriff Patrick Withrow told KCRA that instead of impounding the vehicles, they are being held as evidence.
“I wouldn’t waste your time coming out here or calling about your car because it’s going to sit until a judge or DA tells us to let it go,” Withrow said.
The department is also seeking court orders to destroy any vehicles they deem dangerous, according to the report. Withrow warned that “future sideshow activity will be met with the same level of enforcement.”
“Last time our officers got involved, they threw bricks at the officers’ cars as they were driving,” Withrow told CBS News. “Luckily, no one was hurt or killed in that incident, but we’re just not going to allow it anymore.”
The sheriff’s office said as part of their zero-tolerance policy on sideshows, any person who is involved, whether they are participating or spectating, will be arrested.
“The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office continues to take a zero-tolerance policy on sideshow activity. Our office has remained vigilant and proactive to prevent and stop sideshow activity, and in cases like this, immediately responded. We want to make it clear that all persons participating, spectating or involved, will be held to the full extent of the law,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.