Antioch Mayor says city hit with rash of sideshows, cops arrest 11, stolen vehicles recovered

Antioch police arrested 11 people after the city was hit with an “unprecedented” number of tire-screeching sideshows Saturday, Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe said.

Ten sideshows — events typically involving young people in souped-up cars burning rubber and performing driving stunts surrounded by cheering crowds blocking roadways or intersections — took place in Antioch after 2 p.m. Saturday, Hernandez-Thorpe said in a Facebook video posted Saturday around 10 p.m.

“This is very disappointing,” Thorpe said. “It’s unfortunate to see so many young people running around on these streets.”

The Mayor pledged that the vehicular revelers — and some of their parents — would be held accountable.

As of early Sunday afternoon, 11 people had been arrested for participating in sideshow activity or possession of stolen cars, the Mayor said in a second Facebook post. Two stolen vehicles were recovered and six cars impounded, he said.

Hernandez-Thorpe said he expected additional arrests.

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“While for some it may appear that they may have gotten away, don’t forget that Antioch has very, very good technology that the police department utilizes in finding people then arresting them and then prosecuting them at the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office,” the Mayor said, adding that two additional sideshows were underway as he took the video.

Antioch has installed surveillance cameras, and automated license plate readers. After a large April sideshow including fireworks blocked an intersection, Hernandez-Thorpe said police used drones to capture imagery of license plate numbers.

The Mayor also took aim Saturday at parents of sideshow participants. “In many of these instances these cars are registered to parents, so you will be paying some hefty fines as well when we eventually find you and hold you accountable for these actions,” he said.

The California Highway Patrol is helping Antioch crack down on the events that Hernandez-Thorpe said potentially affect public safety by consuming police resources. “You may see helicopters over the City of Antioch … as we continue to combat these sideshows,” he said.

“No one has been immune from this. I got several calls today from my neighbors telling me about a sideshow that took place … by my home.”

In February, Antioch’s City Council unanimously approved a first reading of an ordinance to allow fines of up to $1,000 and up to six months of jail for those organizing or advertising illegal street races, sideshows and reckless driving events. But on the second reading, usually a formality, the new rules were struck down.

Hernandez-Thorpe said Saturday’s sideshows provided an example of the ordinance’s importance, and said he would bring it back.

“It’s not fair that we have to live with this type of nonsense in our community,” he said.