Sideshow Drivers May Face Charges In Contra Costa County: CHP

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — Drivers allegedly involved in a series of sideshows last weekend in western Contra Costa County may be facing criminal charges now that the California Highway Patrol has filed complaints with the district attorney.

Sunday, Aug. 11, the CHP got reports of vehicles doing doughnuts in the roadway at Franklin Canyon Road near McEwen Road, just south of state Highway 4 and west of Martinez.

Martinez police broke up the show and the CHP stopped a silver Ford Mustang allegedly participating, but they released the driver because of a lack of sufficient evidence for a citation.

Hours later, however, CHP aircraft spotted the same Mustang with a Mazda at a sideshow in Rodeo. Both vehicles got away when officers responded, but law enforcement was able to identify both drivers based on prior contacts.

Later that day a third sideshow was reported on the Cummings Skyway between Crockett and Interstate Highway 80. Three drivers and several spectators were all detained at the scene.

All three vehicles were impounded and the people present were cited for either participating or aiding and abetting in a sideshow.

The CHP says its aircraft can read a license plate from several miles away. To prove it, the agency posted video from the sideshows to the CHP - Contra Costa Facebook page alongside a statement about the pending charges:

"Eight criminal cases are being forwarded to the district attorney after we responded to three separate sideshows in west Contra Costa county on August 11th.

"It started in the afternoon with reports of vehicles spinning doughnuts on Franklin Canyon near McEwen. Martinez police dispersed the sideshow, and CHP units were able to stop one of the vehicles reported to have been participating, a silver Mustang. Officers did not have enough to cite the driver, and eventually released him. However, a few hours later, our CHP aircraft responded to more reports of a sideshow in Rodeo. Our aircraft captured video of the same mustang spinning doughnuts with lots of spectators, and also got footage of a Mazda doing the same thing.

"Officers responded, but dozens of spectators prevented officers from moving in to make arrests and both vehicles got away. However, after reviewing the footage, we were able to identify the driver of the silver Mustang because we had JUST stopped him on Franklin Canyon! The icing on the cake was that Contra Costa Sheriff’s Deputies were able to identify the driver of the Mazda based on prior contacts as well. Both of them now have criminal complaints at the District Attorney’s doorstep.

"Just when we thought we were done, a sideshow was reported on Cummings Skyway between Crockett and I-80. The same CHP aircraft helped guide ground units to the scene and three drivers and three spectators were all detained and cited for either participating in the sideshow or aiding/abetting in a sideshow. All three vehicles were impounded.

"The lesson here is that even if you don’t see us, it doesn’t mean we aren’t there! Our fixed wing aircraft can spot a license plate from thousands of feet in the air and miles away and it’s all recorded in high definition. It makes GREAT evidence in court, so do everyone a favor and take your need for speed to the racetrack!"

— Bay City News Service