LAPD shuts down street takeover by nearly 80 minibike riders

LOS ANGELES (NBC, KYMA) - The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) shut down a street takeover by nearly 80 minibike riders Sunday.

78 citations were issued, and the minibikes were impounded, after the LAPD blocked both sides of the bridge where the riders had shut down traffic.

More than a dozen LAPD vehicles responded to the scene.

Officials say the riders, many of them described as minors, some without driver's licenses, were doing donuts and wheelies, going on the wrong side of the road and zigzagging through traffic.

Also, at least two vehicles were seen leading and trailing the group of riders, with some of those drivers identified as parents.

The minibikes, which are not allowed on the city streets, were loaded on tow trucks and will be impounded for at least 48 hours.

Tow vehicles were also towed from the scene and will be impounded for at least 30 days.

"Next thing you know, helicopter comes in, saying to turn off the bikes, there's nothing we could do about it. So we just accepted the fate and left our bikes right there and they had us all go on the other side," said one minibike rider.

LAPD officials said they want to use this event to educate young people on the dangers of this kind of incident.