STOCKTON — The 88 people who had their cars impounded during a sideshow operation in Stockton over the weekend may never get them back.
That is because San Joaquin County Sheriff Patrick Withrow said they just got 88 warrants to search the 88 vehicles that are now securely locked away at the sheriff’s office, and they are not just looking for evidence of drivers doing donuts.
“They are looking in the vehicles to see if there is any contraband. Are there drugs? Are there guns? Is there any evidence of other crimes?” said local attorney Justin Ward.
This could mean more charges than just misdemeanors.
“People brought their children to this event, so it’s a criminal charges against child endangerment,” Withrow said.
California Vehicle Section 23109 addresses speed exhibitions, sideshows and drag races, but Stockton also wrote its own law. It considers the vehicles involved in sideshow activity as “nuisance vehicles.” Ward said this gives law enforcement agencies the green light to seize the cars of both the speedsters and spectators immediately.