Law enforcement officials in Los Angeles are warning that illegal street takeovers are becoming increasingly violent and could intensify in the months ahead, as new data and recent incidents point to a rising pattern of crime tied to the gatherings, as reported by the New York Post.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, officers have already responded to more than 90 street takeovers across the city in 2026.

Authorities say those operations have resulted in at least 79 arrests, the impoundment of 114 vehicles, the recovery of four stolen cars, and the seizure of four firearms.

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The incidents have also turned increasingly dangerous. Police reported that at least five people were shot during street takeovers over the past weekend alone.

“There’s robberies, rapes, shootings, murders, stabbings,” said Sgt. Jesse Garcia, who leads the department’s Street Racing Task Force.

“It’s only increased and gotten more violent, more boisterous, and just more brazen,” he added.

One of the most recent incidents occurred early Sunday morning in Rosemead, where Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a large street takeover at the intersection of Del Mar and Garvey avenues.

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Deputies arrived after gunfire had already erupted, leaving four individuals wounded, including two teenagers.

Less than 24 hours later, deputies were called to another takeover at Compton and Gage avenues in the Florence-Firestone area of South Los Angeles.

In that case, a participant was shot and transported to a hospital, though officials did not release the individual’s condition.

Officials say the trend is not new but is escalating.

In 2025, the LAPD Street Racing Task Force responded to 678 takeovers, leading to 292 arrests, including 24 felony cases. During those operations, officers impounded 483 vehicles, recovered 103 stolen cars, and seized 18 firearms.

Garcia said the gatherings typically increase during warmer months when schools are out and weather conditions are favorable.

“It’s heating up now,” he said.

Investigators say many of the participants are connected to organized groups, including street gangs and car clubs that operate across multiple states.

Garcia described some of these organizations as having structured hierarchies similar to motorcycle gangs.

“It’s a lot of car theft rings, narcotics, human trafficking, and gun running,” Garcia said. “Some of the clubs have a hierarchy identical to motorcycle gangs, with dues paying members different chapters in different states.”

Authorities also noted that many of the groups involved are based along the Interstate 10 corridor, stretching from Los Angeles to New Orleans, with participants traveling from across California and other states to attend the events.

The gatherings have been reported in multiple areas throughout Los Angeles, including downtown, where Mayor Karen Bass recently ordered increased patrols following an incident involving a crowd entering the Circa LA Apartments near the Los Angeles Convention Center.

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“The brazenness is that when law enforcement arrives, these groups won’t clear out,” Garcia said. “It’s not just kids having fun.”

To address the issue, police have deployed a range of tactics, including the use of unmarked vehicles equipped with concealed emergency lights and aerial surveillance from LAPD helicopters to track suspects fleeing the scenes.

Authorities are also pursuing organizers. Prosecutors have brought charges against 22-year-old Erick Romero Quintana, who is currently on trial in Los Angeles Superior Court.

He faces 16 counts of conspiracy to commit reckless driving related to street takeovers he allegedly organized, including an event where a 24-year-old woman was struck and killed.

Prosecutors allege Quintana used an Instagram account with more than 60,000 followers to coordinate the events. If convicted, he could face up to 13 years in prison.

Police say investigations remain ongoing as they continue efforts to identify participants and dismantle networks behind the street takeovers.

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