A major enforcement operation by the Los Angeles Police Department ended with approximately 70 citations and about 70 impounded minibikes after a massive group gathered on the 6th Street Bridge. The crackdown, carried out by the department's Street Racing Task Force on Sunday, targeted a large-scale street takeover that had paralyzed traffic across the iconic span.
According to authorities, more than 70 individuals were intercepted while riding unauthorized motorized minibikes across the bridge. Officers reported seeing riders executing reckless maneuvers, including wheelies and donuts, while traveling into oncoming lanes and weaving hazardously through regular traffic. The chaos blocked standard vehicular movement and compromised public safety on the roadway.
Investigators noted that the disruptive gathering was not composed solely of unruly youths acting on their own. Instead, police identified older adults leading the pack, with several parents actively riding alongside their underage children during the incident. Participants ranged in age from 13 to 50 years old.
In a formal statement, the LAPD underscored the substantial hazards associated with unauthorized minibike gatherings on major city thoroughfares. Officials noted that pocket bikes lack mandatory safety equipment, feature low visibility due to their small stature, and suffer from high mechanical instability. Department officials cautioned that even a slight mistake on an active street could lead to catastrophic injury or death.
Police emphasized that their response was conducted with extreme caution given the significant presence of young riders. Department officials explained that many juveniles participating in such gatherings do not comprehend the severe physical dangers involved when operating non-street-legal vehicles on busy public roads.
The department also clarified its enforcement scope, stating that anti-takeover operations extend far beyond traditional car sideshows. Law enforcement personnel treat large, organized swarms of dirt bikes, minibikes, and motorcycles with the same level of scrutiny, noting that minors under the age of 18 cannot legally operate these small motorized bikes on public roadways.
Deputy Chief German Hurtado addressed the escalating enforcement posture, emphasizing that city officials will no longer overlook the disruptions caused by such events. Hurtado explained that the department has observed the widespread traffic blockages and disturbances these groups generate across Los Angeles and is taking a zero-tolerance stance against them.
During Sunday's enforcement action, officers issued citations under California Vehicle Code Section 21720 while removing dozens of pocket bikes from the streets. Among the dozens penalized were Marvin Deleon and his 13-year-old daughter, Leilani Deleon, both of whom had their minibikes impounded and were handed legal citations by responding officers.
Speaking after the incident, Marvin Deleon pushed back against the department's characterization of the gathering, insisting that the group was merely holding a celebratory birthday rideout rather than a street takeover. He argued that riding alongside his daughter provided sufficient supervision, claiming that parental presence should shield families from criminal penalties.
Deleon defended his decision to bring his teenage daughter onto the active bridge, contending that parents should be allowed to enjoy minibike rides with their children without facing police intervention. He argued that his presence ensured her safety and maintained that riding together should never be treated as an unlawful act.
When questioned about putting his 13-year-old daughter into a potentially dangerous and illegal situation, Deleon disputed the legal basis for the citations. He claimed that minors can legally operate such bikes at age 14 and challenged officers and reporters to show written proof that riding at age 13 was explicitly prohibited when accompanied by an adult.
Deleon also claimed that past encounters with law enforcement had resulted in leniency. He stated that officers on previous occasions had allowed them to continue riding provided they wore helmets, avoided blocking traffic, and refrained from reckless behavior. He further maintained that the group had not impeded traffic flow during Sunday's bridge ride.
Leilani Deleon described her experience during the police intervention, explaining that officers surrounded the group to prevent anyone from fleeing the area. The 13-year-old stated that officers restrained her wrists with zip-ties, leaving visible marks and scars while holding the crowd on the bridge during the investigation.
Despite the arguments raised by participants, the LAPD maintained that Sunday's large-scale operation was essential for upholding public safety and educating the community. Police stressed that the primary objective of enforcing these traffic statutes is to protect underage riders from life-threatening situations and prevent major municipal roadways from being overrun.
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