Police Arrest 150 People, Seize 88 Cars At California Sideshow Event

San Joaquin County Sideshow Taskforce learned there was a car meet taking place, so it turned up to arrest everyone.

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A photo of police raiding a sideshow in California.
More than 80 cars were impounded during the raid.
Photo: San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office

A sideshow in California was brought to an abrupt end this weekend when officers from the San Joaquin County Sideshow Taskforce swooped in and arrested 150 people. They also seized almost 90 cars that had taken part in the event.

The sideshow kicked off at the corner of Country Club Boulevard and Pershing Avenue in San Joaquin County, California, early Saturday morning, reports CBS News. However, shortly after cars started blocking the streets, law enforcement was on the scene and making arrests. CBS News reports:

The sideshow taskforce found several hundred people and vehicles blocking Country Club Boulevard and Pershing Avenue early Saturday morning. Authorities contained the intersections and were able to stabilize the scene.

The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office said more than 150 people were detained, identified, processed and released. Officials said charges will be filed to the district attorney’s office.

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Of the 150 people that were detained, CBS News reports that three people were arrested for resisting arrest and fleeing in a vehicle. Another person was reportedly arrested for assault with a deadly weapon.

As well as seizing people, officers on the scene also seized property and impounded 88 cars that were taking part in the sideshow. The vehicles will be held for an undetermined amount of time, reports CBS News.

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“Those vehicles will be held until the court cases have been settled through the district attorney’s office,” said Patrick Withrow, San Joaquin County Sheriff, in a video shared on social media.

“Your cars will stay with us therefore they can’t be used in any more public nuisance or sideshows. Until the DA has adjudicated your case. Then, we will determine whether your car is a public nuisance and if it will be destroyed or not.”

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Some of the vehicles that were seized by officers were found to contain loaded illegal guns and controlled substances, deputies said.