A major law enforcement operation unfolded on the 6th Street Bridge in Los Angeles on Sunday as police moved to dismantle a large-scale street takeover involving dozens of motorized minibikes. Officers assigned to the Los Angeles Police Department's Street Racing Task Force stepped in after observing an extensive crowd occupying the roadway, bringing traffic to a halt and executing dangerous maneuvers. The enforcement effort concluded with widespread citations and the mass impoundment of unauthorized vehicles across the bridge.
According to department officials, the task force encountered an estimated crowd of more than 70 individuals operating pocket bikes and minibikes on active lanes. The gathering severely impeded normal traffic flow across the iconic bridge as participants conducted hazardous stunts, including wheelies and donuts. Investigators reported that several operators traveled against the flow of traffic on the wrong side of the road while others aggressively weaved in and out of regular commuter lanes.
The operation resulted in roughly 70 individuals receiving formal citations, alongside the confiscation and impoundment of approximately 70 minibikes. Police noted that the demographic of the gathering was remarkably broad, with participants ranging in age from 13 to 50 years old. Despite the presence of many minors, law enforcement officials emphasized that older adults, including several parents riding directly alongside their underage children, were actively leading the collective ride.
In a formal statement regarding the incident, the LAPD highlighted the acute physical hazards posed by small motorized bikes on urban thoroughfares. Authorities explained that pocket bikes are inherently unsafe for public street use because they lack mandatory safety equipment, feature minimal visibility to other motorists, and suffer from high mechanical instability. Department officials underscored that a single misstep or collision on an active road could easily result in catastrophic, life-threatening injuries for riders.
Because a substantial portion of the participants were teenagers and children who may not comprehend the extreme dangers of roadway riding, police stated that officers approached the large-scale stop with heightened care and caution. LAPD officials reiterated that the core mission of Sunday’s enforcement was not merely punitive, but focused heavily on educating young operators and protecting them from severe roadway tragedies before fatal incidents occur.
Department leaders made it clear that illicit gatherings will no longer be overlooked in any capacity across the metropolitan area. Deputy Chief German Hurtado emphasized the broader municipal toll of unauthorized street events, stating that authorities have observed the widespread disruptions and traffic congestion caused by such gatherings throughout the city and will not tolerate these disturbances going forward.
Law enforcement also clarified that anti-takeover enforcement is not restricted to traditional automobile gatherings and drifting events. Police stressed that the strict regulations apply equally to mass assemblies of dirt bikes, motorcycles, and small pocket bikes. Officers noted that motorized minibikes operated by minor youths under the age of 18 are not legally permitted on public roadways, citing California Vehicle Code Section 21720 as part of the legal basis for the enforcement action.
Despite the warnings from law enforcement, several participants voiced strong opposition to the police crackdown. Among those stopped were Marvin Deleon and his 13-year-old daughter, Leilani Deleon, both of whom had their minibikes seized and were issued citations during the bridge operation. Deleon disputed the department's characterization of the gathering, arguing that the group was merely participating in a family-oriented birthday rideout rather than an unlawful street takeover.
Deleon defended his decision to permit his young daughter to operate a minibike on public streets, contending that close parental supervision should override legal infractions. In discussions following the bust, he maintained that riding alongside his child ensured her safety and argued that sharing a recreational ride with a parent should never be treated as a criminal offense, expressing frustration that police actions made participating parents look irresponsible.
During an exchange with Eyewitness News reporter Jericho Tran, Deleon questioned the statutory prohibitions governing youth riders on city streets. When pressed about the legal boundaries and age restrictions that prevent 13-year-olds from operating such motorized vehicles on active roadways, Deleon asserted his belief that minors could ride legally at age 14 and challenged authorities to provide explicit documentation and printed legal proof demonstrating that his daughter’s actions constituted a crime.
Deleon further maintained that prior interactions with law enforcement had given riders the impression that such group outings were permissible. He claimed that officers had stopped the group during previous rides but ultimately permitted them to continue on their way without penalty, provided that participants were equipped with helmets, avoided reckless behavior, and refrained from obstructing the general flow of traffic.
The father also contested the department’s official claims regarding traffic blockades, insisting that their group never brought roadway movement to a standstill. However, police maintained that officers directly witnessed young riders performing wheelies and disrupting traffic across the span, creating an active hazard for motorists, pedestrians, and the riders themselves.
Recounting her experience during the bust, 13-year-old Leilani Deleon described the moments when officers converged on the bridge to detain the crowd. She explained that police blocked the group in to prevent dispersal and placed her in zip-tie restraints. The teenager stated that she and other riders had no plans to flee from officers, noting that the restraints left visible marks and scars on her wrists while they were held at the scene.
The confrontation on the 6th Street Bridge highlights an ongoing tension between law enforcement cracking down on unauthorized street takeovers and community members who view coordinated group rides as harmless recreation. As the LAPD continues to target unauthorized gatherings involving both cars and two-wheeled motorized vehicles, department officials affirmed that maintaining public safety and keeping illegal pocket bikes off active streets remains a top priority.
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