CHP Breaks Up Sideshow in Oakland

California Highway Patrol officers patrolling East Oakland looking for sideshows on Sunday chased a Buick at high speeds for about 15 minutes before arresting the driver and a passenger, a CHP officer said.

The CHP heard there might be a large sideshow, an illegal gathering for stunt driving, on Sunday and assigned extra motorcycle, car and helicopter patrols in preparation, CHP Officer Sean Wilkenfeld said.

The officers broke up several sideshows there over the course of the night, according to Wilkenfeld. At about 5 p.m., officers spotted a 1995 Buick Sentry speeding away and running a red light.

The officers chased the Buick through Oakland city streets, on and off Interstate Highway 880, for about 15 minutes before it stopped in the area of 73rd Avenue and Arthur Street, Wilkenfeld said.

The driver and a passenger got out and ran but officers chased them through several backyards and arrested both.
Investigators determined the Buick was an unreported stolen vehicle. The driver, a 16-year-old male, was arrested on suspicion of felony evading police and possessing a stolen vehicle, Wilkenfeld said. His name was not released because of his age.

The passenger, identified as 21-year-old Francisco Tovar-Castillo, was arrested on suspicion of resisting arrest and drug charges, Wilkenfeld said.

“We take sideshows seriously,” Wilkenfeld said. “If you’re involved in a sideshow you will get arrested.”

--Bay City News