Large ‘sideshow’ event in Sacramento County leads to arrests and one high-speed chase
Officers from four Sacramento-area police agencies on Sunday impounded 28 vehicles, made nine felony arrests and confiscated four guns as they busted a large “sideshow” event.
The sideshow occurred early Sunday evening along Northgate Boulevard in Sacramento’s Northgate neighborhood. The Sacramento, Elk Grove and Citrus Heights police departments participated in the joint enforcement operation, along with the California Highway Patrol Valley Division.
Along with the vehicles towed, arrests and seized guns, officers issued 28 citations in connection with the sideshow, the Sacramento Police Department announced in a Facebook post.
One vehicle led authorities on a high-speed chase before a flat tire led to the driver’s capture. That vehicle pursuit started about 6 p.m. Sunday, when a black Cadillac CTS-V was spotted “actively engaging in sideshow activity,” according to the CHP Valley Division.
The Cadillac driver was performing “illegal and dangerous behavior,” so CHP officers tried to pull over the car, the CHP said. The Cadillac driver refused to stop, and the pursuit ensued and headed north on Interstate 5 from downtown Sacramento.
CHP said the suspect driver accelerated to speeds over 100 mph, used the shoulder to pass other vehicles and continued heading north. A CHP aircraft kept the Cadillac in view during the pursuit.
The Cadillac sustained a flat tire during the chase, which allowed officers to get into position and arrest the driver, on suspicion of felony evading police and engaging in a sideshow, CHP said. The car was impounded. CHP did not release the driver’s name.
In October, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law aimed at cracking down on illegal street racing and so-called “sideshows” by adding a driver’s license suspension for up to six months to the punishment for convicted offenders. California Assembly Bill 3, authored by Assemblyman Vince Fong, R-Bakersfield, will go into effect July 1, 2025.
This story was originally published April 11, 2022 at 6:46 PM.
