Authorities arrested and cited several people Saturday in a crackdown on illegal street racing, using social media to pinpoint where large groups would be gathering for dangerous stunts, San Diego police said Wednesday.
Police determined through social media posts on Instagram that street takeovers were being planned for the middle of the night at the intersections of Scripps Ranch Court and Scripps Ranch Boulevard in Scripps Ranch, Clairemont Mesa Boulevard and Antigua Boulevard in the Tierrasanta neighborhood, Otay Mesa Road and Ocean View Hills Parkway in Ocean View Hills, and Tonawanda Drive and Reo Drive in Lincoln Acres. During such events, crowds typically block areas such as intersections so drivers can perform stunts, including donuts and drifting.
Police said TikTok and WhatsApp were also used to spread the word.
Investigators identified two men in particular who were allegedly coordinating these takeovers through social media, police said. One, an 18-year-old man with a large social media following, had posted videos of reckless driving stunts on San Diego roads, including takeovers, races and a maneuver called “white lining,” in which a vehicle passes between cars driving adjacent to each other, police said.
Police found him driving a U-Haul rental truck during Saturday’s street takeover in Scripps Ranch, police said. The event allegedly caused about $5,153 worth of damage to the roadway, police said. He was booked into jail on charges of felony vandalism, exhibition of speed and reckless driving.
A 27-year-old man, who also has a large social media following, was found Saturday driving his BMW M4 during the same street takeover, police said. Officers pursued him, but he turned off his headlights and reached speeds of over 100 mph on Interstate 15 and surface streets, police said. Police called off the chase for safety reasons.
The suspect was located and arrested Monday. He was booked into jail on charges of felony evading, felony vandalism, parole violation, exhibition of speed and reckless driving.
In 2025, there were 70 arrests and citations for illegal street racing, according to data provided by San Diego police. There have been 46 so far this year.
During Saturday’s operation, which was carried out by San Diego police and the California Highway Patrol, officers also made two DUI arrests, four misdemeanor citations, five hazardous moving citations, seven equipment violation citations and two vehicle impounds.
Officials warn that street racing can result in injury or death. Police told the Union-Tribune last year that the number of arrests and citations for reckless driving has increased. It allegedly contributed to the deaths of a 17-year-old who was involved in racing and a 30-year-old jogger.