Oakland Police trap dozens of motorcyclists during illegal street takeover
By: -----
Oakland, CA - Nearly 80 dirt bikes and ATVs were seized during a coordinated law enforcement operation that trapped dozens of sideshow participants on the Bay Bridge, which connects San Francisco and Oakland.
Officials with the Oakland Police Department said that on May 3, dozens of suspects first arrived in San Leandro, where they offloaded the motorcycles and ATVs at a park.
At a Monday press conference, OPD Interim Chief James Beere, along with San Francisco Police Department Chief Derrick Lew, said the riders moved through East Oakland, Berkeley and San Francisco. Reports of a “bike takeover” that “quickly overwhelmed intersections” began coming in around 4:45 p.m.
The riders spent more than 45 minutes in the city before returning to the Bay Bridge, Lew said.
Police in Oakland and San Francisco, with assistance from the California Highway Patrol, coordinated roadblocks on the bridge, effectively trapping the riders between law enforcement agencies. The operation snarled traffic in the bridge’s eastbound lanes and caused significant delays for motorists.
Footage of the incident shows riders weaving through traffic in an attempt to escape, only to realize that any potential exits had been sealed.
While most of the suspects abandoned their vehicles and fled on foot, police made nine arrests, including one person who appeared to try to hide in the water. Five of the arrests were for misdemeanor charges, while four suspects are facing felony charges.
Beere also said two firearms were recovered during the operation.
In addition to the motorcycles and ATVs, police impounded several vehicles used to transport the bikes into the city.
More than 100 officers from the three agencies took part in the operation, including traffic enforcement units, specialized motorcycle teams and SWAT officers, according to SFGATE.