Footage captures moment a man gets slammed by car during another anarchical 'street takeover' in Democrat-run California



On October 6 around 11:30 p.m., a man was struck by a car at the intersection of Valley View Street and Artesia Boulevard in Buena Park, California. That was but one of three takeovers that beset Orange County that night. Police also responded to similar anarchic, illegal events in Anaheim and Costa Mesa.

It is unknown whether the individual seen in the video getting hammered by a drifting Mercedes Benz was taken to hospital. Persons injured — but not critically so — at takeovers rarely report the incidents to law enforcement for fear of incrimination.

Man hit by car during street takeover in Orange County youtu.be


At the intersection of South Sunkist Street and Cerritos Avenue in Anaheim, participants used accelerants to create a circle of fire, in which some stood and others drove around.

On October 2, another man was plowed by a car performing donuts at the intersection of Main Street and Harrison Street in San Francisco.

\u201cA car that was drifting and spinning donuts during a sideshow in #California struck a person who got too close to the vehicle. \u201cThe man literally got hit and run over. And the cars continued to do donut burnouts.\u201d\n\n #sideshow #streettakeover\nVIA foxla\u201d
— Alfa News (@Alfa News) 1664919276

One witness told KRON4: "Someone gets hit, falls over and then you see this car come back, runs over his foot, he loses his shoe, his phone breaks. This kid is limping back and it's just scary."

These potentially lethal sideshows are called "street takeovers."

A street takeover involves a semi-coordinated swarming of a particular intersection by motorists and spectators. Once traffic is illegally constricted in the surrounding area, admitted drivers perform dangerous stunts while bystanders either watch or tempt fate in the impromptu stunt staging area, where donuts are usually performed.

Frequently, hundreds of spectators flock to takeovers, some hindering the efforts of police and first responders to restore order.

\u201cMAKING IT RAIN: A wild street takeover in Compton was caught on video, which shows someone standing on top of a car and apparently throwing money in the air. https://t.co/Qx9gSmUXPV\u201d
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7 Eyewitness News) 1664833869

The Los Angeles Police Department described the pedestrian element in these events as a "flash mob," whereby "a large public gathering at which people perform an unusual or seemingly random act and then disperse," is coordinated via social media. KTLA reported that "rendezvous points" are declared on social media ahead of time to ensure sizable crowds.

LAPD Chief Michel Moore indicated that part of the allure of takeovers, extra to participants' motivation to "garner attention and to get clicks or likes" on social media, is that proponents can "monetize [their videos] by attracting crowds."

The LAPD noted that oftentimes, flash mobs turn "from fun spontaneous events to opportunistic criminal occurrences."

None
— JBidensearpiece F-15 Fighter Pilot MAGA Republican (@JBidensearpiece F-15 Fighter Pilot MAGA Republican) 1661545725

In one of numerous instances of a takeover turning lethal, a teenage boy was gunned down on August 15 amidst a so-called street race.

The LA Times reported by late August, at least six people had been killed during or near street takeovers in the city, including two women killed in a car crash near a Compton event.

In August, an individual armed with a machete confronted elements of a takeover near Haster Street and Orangewood Avenue in Anaheim. Police ultimately dispersed the crowd.

\u201cAngry resident shows up to street takeover with a machete.\nIf our elected officials and law-enforcement won\u2019t do anything about this dangerous issue, the people will. \nThe results will not be pretty.\u201d
— Kevin Dalton (@Kevin Dalton) 1661440241

A 60-year-old man was shot during a south Los Angeles street takeover on September 18.

Although not a new phenomenon, KTLA reported that takeovers grew more common during the COVID-19 pandemic and continued in popularity even after restrictions were lifted.

Last month, LAPD Chief Moore said that police were "working aggressively everyday" to clamp down on these "reckless acts." Despite impounding at least 457 cars, making over 500 arrests and issuing over 674 citations this year, the problem persists.

Moore called on state lawmakers to "stiffen the penalties."

Moore told the Police Commission on September 13 that he was recommending to Los Angeles' Democrat Mayor Eric Garcetti that the city should implement a 30-day impound of vehicles involved in the takeovers with no waiver, driver's license suspensions, points added to DMV records and other penalties.

On September 19, Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law a bipartisan bill to ban street takeovers.

Republican California Assemblyman Vince Fong, who co-authored the bill, stated, "There are countless stories every week throughout California about illegal street races and dangerous sideshows shutting down streets, causing accidents, damaging neighborhoods, and endangering lives."

Los Angeles has had over 705 street takeovers this year.

Amid historic heat wave, Los Angeles TV news anchor tweets that 'power just went out' in newsroom. Oil & Gas Workers Association issues perfect response.



California's historic heat wave pushed temperatures to all-time record highs across the state Tuesday, including in San Jose (109 degrees) and Sacramento (116 degrees), according to the Weather Channel.

A temperature readout at an El Dorado Savings Bank in Sacramento, California, on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022.Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The mercury wasn't nearly as high in Los Angeles on Tuesday (93 degrees) after topping out at 101 degrees Sunday. But according to Marc Brown — anchor for WABC-TV news in Los Angeles — the power still went out at the station Tuesday night:

\u201cWell\u2026 the power just went out here at @ABC7.\u201d
— Marc Brown (@Marc Brown) 1662519062

The loss of power likely didn't come as a big surprise. Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom asked state residents to curtail electricity usage Tuesday to ease the strain on power grids:

None
— Bill Juftes (@Bill Juftes) 1662485640

Newsom's video appeal was met with a fair amount of mockery, particularly from commenters who didn't believe the governor was suffering much under the heat compared to others.

In the same way, Brown's tweet about the power going out at KABC-TV attracted some sarcasm — but the comment that got the most attention came from the Oil & Gas Workers Association:

\u201c@abc7marc @ABC7 Get somebody to bring you 5 gallons of wind turbine.\u201d
— Marc Brown (@Marc Brown) 1662519062

"Get somebody to bring you 5 gallons of wind turbine," the Oil & Gas Workers Association quipped back.

Interestingly, days after California's statewide power grid emergency declaration — and facing the potential of rolling blackouts — the state activated four gas-powered emergency generators.

How did folks react?

Other commenters, as you might expect, loved the response from the Oil & Gas Workers Association:

  • "Oh my gosh, @ogwausa, you won at Twitter," one commenter reacted.
  • "This tweet wins," another user declared.
  • "That had to be the best reply," another commenter said. "The media is just as complicit in this disaster perpetuated by the alleged administration[s] in Washington and Sacramento. I wonder if ABC's backup generators are run on windmills and solar panels?"
  • "Basic incompetence," another user wrote. "California has all the resources it needs, they just have to execute smarter. Have [U.S. Rep.] Eric Swalwell [D-Calif.] head over [to] the wind turbine farm, lay down one of his notorious potent vigorous farts, and get those turbines spinning. Problem solved, you’re welcome."
  • "This may be my favorite tweet in the history of Twitter," another commenter announced.
  • "This is my favorite response. Ever," another user said.
  • "I think I just fell a little in love with you!!!" another commenter confessed.

San Francisco Pride Bans Police Uniforms At Parade While Other Attendees Prepare To March Naked

Police in San Francisco will no longer attend the city's pride parade at the end of June.

Gas THIEVES target gas stations and individual vehicles



Americans are painfully aware of how far thieves go to avoid legit employment and still make a few bucks. Many, myself included, have fallen victim to the catalytic converters thieves. But now, a new trend is popping up across the country - gas thieves.

Friday, in Fort Worth, Texas, KDFW reported that thieves driving a box truck outfitted with an extra tank in the bed stole 1,500 gallons of diesel fuel from a Chevron gas station, valued at $5,000.

KABC out of Los Angeles reported back in March 2022 that thieves were targeting gas stations and individual vehicles.

Imagine walking out to your car after a long day at work only to realize your vehicle is mysteriously out of gas. Then, adding insult to injury, you add the gallon of gas from your trusty gas station and notice the gas you just paid way too much for is leaking onto the pavement beneath your vehicle. Why? Because someone decided to drill a hole in your gas tank and steal your fuel.

Victims are left with a bill of approximately $1,000 to replace their gas tank, in addition to the devastating price at the pump.


GAS THIEVES: As gas prices continue to climb, thieves are turning to steal gas through a variety of ways that include targeting gas stations or individual vehicles. ⛽😖 https://t.co/XWmO4djTAe pic.twitter.com/3oHxvpBkHm

— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) March 16, 2022

Follow @theblaze for more news that matters.

Video: Hero cops pull bloody pilot from crashed plane just seconds before speeding train smashes into it



Body camera video shows Los Angeles police officers pulling a bloody pilot from a small plane that crashed and came to rest on railroad tracks in Pacoima on Sunday — just seconds before an oncoming train obliterated the Cessna 172, the Associated Press reported.

Foothill Division Officers displayed heroism and quick action by saving the life of a pilot who made an emergency landing on the railroad tracks at San Fernando Rd. and Osborne St., just before an oncoming train collided with the aircraft.pic.twitter.com/DDxtGGIIMo
— LAPD HQ (@LAPD HQ) 1641781121

"Foothill Division Officers displayed heroism and quick action by saving the life of a pilot who made an emergency landing on the railroad tracks at San Fernando Rd. and Osborne St., just before an oncoming train collided with the aircraft," the LAPD said in a tweet.

The harrowing incident occurred just blocks away from the LAPD's Foothill station on Osborne Street near the Whiteman Airport, KABC-TV reported. The AP said officers were on the scene "almost immediately."

The plane lost power and crashed on the tracks, according to the LAPD Valley Bureau. The crash occurred around 2:10 p.m. just after takeoff from the airport, the AP reported, citing the Federal Aviation Administration.

The pilot — who was the sole occupant — was taken to a trauma center by paramedics, was treated for cuts and bruises, and was in stable condition, KCBS-TV reported.

Here's video showing another angle of the Metrolink train smashing into the single-engine plane. At least one piece of plane debris flies dangerously close to the individual recording the video:

Train crashes into plane at Whiteman Airport Van Nuys, CA #ABC7Eyewitness #breakingnews @FOXLA @ABC7 @KTLApic.twitter.com/D1eEtvaajF
— Luis Jimenez (@Luis Jimenez) 1641771250

No one on the ground was injured, KNBC-TV reported.

A KCBS video report identified the officers who rescued the pilot as Damien Castro, Christopher Aboyte, Robert Sherock, and Sgt. Joseph Cavestany.

The station said Cavestany saw the plane going down, was one of the first officers on the scene, and tried to get Metrolink to stop rail service: “I had requested Metrolink to cease all train activity, but apparently that didn’t happen," he told KCBS.

“I’m grateful to be alive," Officer Sherock told KCBS. "I’m grateful that the pilot survived as well." He also told the station in regard to his fellow rescuing officers that "without our teamwork, without all of us pitching in and having the same mindset — which I think any officer [in] the department would have felt the same way — [the pilot] might not have made it."

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash, KNBC said, citing an FAA statement.

(H/T: The Daily Wire)

Car break-ins are so rampant in San Francisco that residents are leaving their trunks open and their doors unlocked to ward off burglars



Bay Area residents have resorted to extreme measures to prevent thieves from breaking into their cars.

Photos and videos that surfaced on social media over the weekend showed many San Francisco and Oakland residents leaving their vehicle's trunks open and doors unlocked to keep criminals from smashing the windows and rummaging through them for things to steal, KABC-TV reported.

Others have reportedly posted signs saying, “Please use the door” or “Please Do Not Break Glass!! Nothing Inside!!”

The thought evidently is this: If criminals see that there is nothing of value in the vehicle, then they'll move on. And if there are no windows or doors smashed, the vehicle owner could save money on a hefty repair bill.

Amid a spike in vehicle break-ins, some Bay Area car owners have been deliberately leaving their trunks open in an effort to avoid forced entry by thieves.https://abc7.com/11344070
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7 Eyewitness News) 1639595958

KABC noted it has heard of people emptying their cars of valuables and leaving doors unlocked and windows rolled down. But the new practice of leaving trunks open is reportedly "raising eyebrows."

The strange development shows just how bad crime has gotten in the Bay Area over the last year.

According to the outlet, one witness, upon seeing trunks left wide open, wrote on social media, "Imagine having to clean out your car and leaving it open in public, just so people won't break your windows. Oakland we looking sad man."

SFPD said that car break-ins are up 32% so far this year. KPIX-TV reported last week that the city was hit with 3,000 car break-ins in October alone.

“It’s out of control," Alan Byard, a San Francisco Patrol Special Police Officer, told the outlet. "We have people that are doing this – are breaking into cars in Nob Hill, then they go down to Fisherman’s Wharf, then they come out here. Then they go to another part of the city and the police can’t chase the cars, it’s considered a misdemeanor."

“I come out here every night and I see new piles of glass,” Byard added.

But law enforcement is warning that while leaving trunks and doors open may seem like a good idea, it actually may put one's vehicle at greater risk.

"There's so much that can go wrong here," said former San Francisco Police Department Deputy Chief Garret Tom. "[Thieves] could steal your batteries, your tires. They could go into your glove compartment and find out where you live."

He called the practice an "invitation" for "disaster."

California Car Owners Leaving Their Trunks Open To Avoid Break Ins As Crime Skyrockets www.youtube.com

VIDEO: Explosion rocks LA neighborhood; 16 people injured when bomb squad detonates improvised explosives after seizing 5,000 pounds of illegal fireworks



At least 16 people were injured, including police officers, when the Los Angeles Police Department's bomb squad detonated explosives after seizing a massive stockpile of illegal fireworks on Wednesday. The large explosion flipped vehicles and damaged homes in the South Los Angeles neighborhood.

The LAPD seized 5,000 pounds of illegal commercial-grade fireworks from a home in South L.A. following a tip provided to law enforcement. The resident had a "cache of homemade fireworks" and "improvised explosives" at the house, according to the Sacramento Bee. Fireworks are illegal to sell or possess in Los Angeles.

The fireworks were in boxes marked with the words, "Made in China." Authorities said the explosives posed an "imminent and real danger" to the community.

LAPD Chief Michel Moore said they planned to move the fireworks to a safe location with three box trucks and a 53-foot trailer, but the "improvised explosives" were too dangerous and "unstable" to transport.

Moore said there were 40 homemade explosive devices, which were the size of Coca-Cola cans, and 200 smaller explosives.

LAPD provided these photos of the homemade fireworks that were seized last night in South LA. They exploded during… https://t.co/kpFVhHMv8w

— Tina Patel (@tina_patel) 1625145040.0

Less than 10 pounds of explosives were placed inside a total containment vessel, an iron compartment on a tractor-trailer designed to safely withstand explosions. The amount of explosives was reportedly far less than the vessel's safety rating.

Shortly after 7:30 p.m. local time, the LAPD bomb squad detonated the explosives, which caused a blast so intense that it tore apart the total containment vehicle. The large explosion wrecked cars in the immediate area and caused damage to homes in the residential neighborhood.

Here is the moment the unexpected explosion happened in South LA. At least 9p eople were hurt after a bomb squad tr… https://t.co/D4n9sYF8e5

— FOX 11 Los Angeles (@FOXLA) 1625109816.0

#BREAKINGNEWS: New video shows the moment a large cache of illegal #fireworks detonates inside an #LAPD bomb squad… https://t.co/w7UZyDi5w2

— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) 1625112128.0

EXPLOSION! LAPD was disposing of illegal fireworks in South LA when the explosion occurred. At least 5 are injured.… https://t.co/jGSb8u01il

— Ryder Christ (@RyderChristNews) 1625109875.0

Fire Chief Ralph M. Terrazas said nine police officers and a federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives officer were taken to hospital with minor injuries. There were also six civilians, ranging in ages from 51 to 85, rushed to a local medical center. One person was injured at the scene of the blast, but declined to be taken to a hospital. None of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening, according to authorities.

Prior to the explosion, police reportedly evacuated homes on both sides of the street where the explosives were detonated.

"This vessel should have been able to dispose of that material," Moore said at a press conference. "You saw the resulting damage, and the total catastrophic failure of that containment vehicle."

"Clearly, protocols were followed and pursued. But something happened in that containment vessel that should not have happened and we don't know why," Chief Moore said on Wednesday night. "But we intend to find out why."

Moore said an investigation has been initiated, but could take several days.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti (D) issued a statement on the explosion, "I've directed the LAPD to conduct a full investigation into this incident, so we can better understand why this happened. Illegal fireworks pose a great danger and can cost lives. We will prosecute those who use or possess them to the fullest extent of the law."

CNBC reported that resident Arturo Cejas, 27, was arrested on suspicion of possessing a destructive device. Moore noted that Cejas may also face charges of child endangerment because his 10-year-old brother was in the home.

Large explosion occurs as LAPD attempts to seize illegal fireworkswww.youtube.com