Lynwood Man Arrested in Connection to Freeway Stunt

WEST COVINA (CNS) - Four motorcyclists have been arrested for blocking a San Gabriel Valley freeway for a marriage proposal that went viral on the Internet, it was reported today.

The prospective groom and three of his friends were all booked for suspicion of misdemeanor public nuisance and participating in an unlawful assembly. The groom, Hector Martinez, 24, of Covina, was also booked for suspicion of exhibition of speed, the San Gabriel Valley News reported.

The bride-to-be was not charged, and reportedly said yes.

The incident began with a group of up to 250 motorcyclists blocking eastbound traffic on the San Bernardino (10) Freeway on a busy Sunday afternoon, Jan. 27. Another friend stood on the Barranca Avenue overpass, shooting videotape of the incident that was telecast and webcast around the globe.

The tape shows a biker identified by the CHP as Martinez performing a smoky "burn-out'' -- earning him the extra citation.

The CHP believes the group then got off the freeway at Barranca and decamped to a nearby Hooters restaurant, where more video was shot.

California Highway Patrol officers arrested three men at their homes last week, and a fourth turned himself in. Also booked were Mike John David Gutierrez, 38, of Lynwood; Giovanni Mendez, 19, of La Puente, and Rudy Cadena, 24, of Long Beach, the San Gabriel Valley News reported.

In a 2010 case, three members of a rock band each were sentenced to three years probation and 35 days of community service work for blocking the Hollywood (101) Freeway to promote their music. They were charged with felony conspiracy, however.

From City News Service

Keep up with South Gate - Lynwood Patch Latino by subscribing to breaking news alerts, liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter. Have an event or announcement you'd like to publicize? Submit them for free.