A car meetup in the Los Angeles River basin turned into a scene reminiscent of Fast & Furious after the LAPD and several partner agencies descended on the Cypress Park riverbed on Sunday (June 7). The operation resulted in 72 vehicles being impounded and 86 individuals taken into custody.
Reports indicate the gathering was promoted online as a photo meetup for members of the local car community, attracting around 100 vehicles. The lineup included modified Chevrolet Camaros, Dodge Chargers, and Ford Mustangs parked in the riverbed near the 400 block of North San Fernando Road.
According to CBS News, aerial footage recorded around 7:20 p.m. showed dozens of sports cars lined up along the concrete channel, creating a striking scene that resembled something straight out of an action movie.
The LAPD’s Street Racing Task Force arrived at the location around 6:30 p.m. and used drones to monitor the gathering from above. Authorities then blocked off all exits, directing vehicles into a single-file queue before towing them away.
Speaking at a police commission meeting, the LAPD chief confirmed the operation resulted in two felony arrests, 84 misdemeanor arrests, and the impoundment of 72 cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Many of the misdemeanor charges stemmed from people allegedly loitering inside the river channel, while officers also issued trespassing citations at the scene.
Several attendees pushed back against what they viewed as an excessive response. “There’s a trespassing sign that’s really small, you can’t read it. We weren’t doing anything illegal, we weren’t doing anything stupid,” attendee Alexander Pimienta told CBS News Los Angeles. Another participant, Angel Rodriguez, whose Ford Mustang was impounded, said the gathering was intended to be nothing more than a photo meetup.
Drivers also claimed they were informed that some seized vehicles could remain impounded for as long as 30 days, with recovery costs potentially climbing to about $3,000. California law also allows authorities to seek permanent forfeiture of property if it is found to be connected to criminal activity.
