Oakland cops seize more than 70 ATVs and dirt bikes after Bay Bridge takeover. Nine suspects were arrested after riders blocked bridge traffic for an hour. Footage shows wheeling ATVs and dozens of abandoned bikes being removed. Oakland police have had enough of street takeovers, and a massive weekend bust shows they’re stepping up enforcement in a big way. Authorities say a group of ATV and dirt bike riders shut down parts of the Bay Bridge, creating traffic chaos and forcing lane closures. Video from the scene shows dozens of riders weaving through traffic, ATVs pulling wheelies alongside the cars of law-abiding citizens, and eventually bringing eastbound lanes to a standstill. More: California Wrote Nearly 12,000 Speeding Tickets In 24 Hours According to officials, around 50 to 60 riders were initially involved, KRON4 reports, though that number later climbed to roughly 70. The group rode from Oakland towards San Francisco, lingered for close to an hour, then headed back across the bridge, where things really ground to a halt. As police moved in, the riders reportedly abandoned their bikes and scattered. That attempt to disappear didn’t completely work, however. By Monday, Oakland Police confirmed nine people were in custody, as were dozens of bikes, which had to be recovered on multiple trucks. “Today, the Oakland Police Department OPD recovered more than 70 ATVs and dirt bikes, along with vehicles, in connection with sideshow related incidents and made multiple arrests,” the force wrote on Facebook. “We thank CHP and SFPD for assisting in these recoveries on the Bay Bridge.” Vehicles Will Be Impounded That message was followed later by a clear warning about what comes next. “Illegal sideshows will not be tolerated,” Oakland Police insisted. “Anyone taking part in street takeovers or reckless driving will be cited or arrested. Vehicles used inside shows will be impounded for 30 days.” Oakland has been battling these kinds of events for years. Sideshows, or takeovers, as they’re also known, have become a regular headache, often involving large crowds, blocked intersections, and dangerous driving stunts. Bikes Are Harder To Catch We’re used to seeing videos of cars drifting around illegally shut-down US intersections, but the rise of ATV and dirt bike groups has added a new twist, making enforcement even harder. These riders can move quickly, overwhelm roads, and often disappear before officers can respond. That’s not so easy to do in a Dodge Challenger. Still, this latest crackdown shows police are trying to change that dynamic. Whether it actually deters future takeovers is another question, and the ability to take part in sideshows in the upcoming GTA6 video game might even fuel the trend. But for now, Oakland is making it clear that shutting down major infrastructure like the Bay Bridge won’t be taken lightly. Photos Oakland PD
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