Watch CBS News

24 Cars Impounded, 70 Citations Issued In One Night After Stockton Sideshows In Lowe's Parking Lot

STOCKTON (CBS13) — Street racing, burnouts, and donuts all in the middle of a Lowe's parking lot.

stockton sideshow citations (3)
Dozens of cars were impounded after the illegal sideshows overnight. (Credit: Stockton Police Department)

Stockton Police broke up a huge illegal sideshow that put shoppers in danger Thursday evening.  Police said people have lost their lives participating in these illegal sideshows, which involve driving and racing that could get out of hand. Officers cracked down Thursday evening at Lowe's, towing 24 cars and issuing 70 citations.

Dozens of cars filled the parking lot off of Interstate 5.

"It upsets me. It really does, it upsets me," said Rosemary McFadden, who lives nearby.

The aftermath was very easy to spot the next day and very disturbing to some people.

READ: Grieving Daughter's Car Stolen From Roseville Hospital Lot

"I'm concerned about kids, children anything could cause them to go out of control. They could hit a pedestrian or a kid and that could be a catastrophe," said Randy Lilly, a Lowe's shopper who lives nearby.

Sideshows like this happen all over the Stockton area and beyond, but they don't always end in success when it comes to enforcement. Last July, traffic on I-5 in Sacramento came to a standstill for a sideshow in the middle of rush hour traffic.

Several of the drivers were caught. Ultimately, people worry about a bad influence on their neighborhoods

"We don't need that in our neighborhood at all. We have good hard working people and we don't need that," Lilly said.

Stockton Police said these sideshows are starting to decrease because of a strong presence from police in Stockton and sheriff's deputies.

Stockton police have been urging residents to report illegal sideshows. If you see one happening, call (209) 946-0600.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.