Bakersfield, Kern County, CA: Street takeovers along with pursuits, arrests, an injured officer and other related incidents disrupted the city of Bakersfield for hours Saturday night.

A total of approximately 300 vehicles and spectators took over the intersections of Brundage and A Street, Mount Vernon and Columbus, Rosedale Highway and Mohawk, Wible and Barber, and 17th & M Streets on May 7, 2022.

Street takeovers involve usually large crowds of spectators to watch “sideshows” of vehicles doing donuts – driving in circles – in intersections that prevent through traffic from traveling in the area of the takeover.

During the “takeovers”, Bakersfield Police Department experienced a high volume of calls into dispatch reporting citizens’ vehicles being attacked as well as persons. Fireworks were shot from the roof of a McDonald’s and at officers, observed by a Key News Network photojournalist at the scene.

At one intersection, the responding officers were significantly outnumbered and assaulted with a large number of bottles thrown at them. When additional officers arrived on the scene, the crowd fled, according to the Bakersfield Police Department’s press release of the incidents that unfolded.

The initial call was at approximately 8:42 p.m. when the department received a report of over a 300 vehicles and spectators blocking the intersection of Brundage Lane at A Street. When units arrived on the scene, additional resources were requested due to the violent nature of the participants. The crowd dispersed and vehicles fled recklessly in all directions. As officers attempted traffic stops, other vehicles interfered by blocking outnumbered officers from pursuing identified offense vehicles, according to BPD.

The “takeovers” prompted police pursuits leading to multiple arrests. At 10:16 p.m. officers who were taking enforcement action on outlier vehicles associated with the takeover group, responded to Rosedale Highway at Mohawk Street to aid the California Highway Patrol who advised the crowd was attacking patrol vehicles.

At this location, according to BPD, officers engaged in a foot pursuit of a suspected event organizer, identified as Oliver Perry, 23, of Bakersfield. Perry was found in possession of a concealed loaded handgun and placed under arrest for weapons violations, resisting/delaying an officer and charges associated with the “takeover.” He was transported and booked into the Kern County Jail and his vehicle was impounded. Officers also arrested Danny Hernandez, 18, of Bakersfield for charges associated with the “takeover” as well as resisting/delaying an officer. Hernandez’ vehicle was impounded.

BPD said the “takeover” group was pursued at 11:42 p.m. to Wible Road at Pacheco Road. Officers entered the crowd while being assaulted with debris by participants. Xander Moreno, 19, of Bakersfield, Deon Walker,19, of Clovis, and Luis Hernandez, 23, and Jamal Graves, 25, both from Fresno, were arrested for charges associated with the “takeover” and transported to the Kern County Jail. Two vehicles were impounded. An officer on foot was intentionally struck by a fleeing vehicle, causing minor injury. The vehicle fled the area and the investigation into the assault with a deadly weapon is ongoing, stated BPD in the press release.

The last pursuit occurred at 12:09 a.m. Sunday, May 8, at 17th and M Streets, where a pursuit began with a vehicle involved in the “takeover”that reached speeds in excess of 100 mph. The pursuit was terminated due to danger to other motorists after the driver turned off the pursued vehicle’s headlights, and began traveling in the opposite lanes of travel on Union Avenue, according to BPD.

The pursued vehicle was trailed by the KCSO Patrol helicopter and observed crashing and becoming inoperable in the raised center median of the 8400 block of Olive Drive. The driver of the vehicle, Simon Martinez, 20, and passenger Jose Torres, 19, both residents of the city Wasco, were arrested, according to Bakersfield PD. Narcotics and several weapons were seized from the pair. They were transported and booked into the Kern County Jail for charges associated with the incident, stated BPD.

Finally, participants dispersed but police received several more reports of innocent motorists trapped or stopped by the group, including vandalism of vehicles, some of which contained small juveniles and assaults of occupants not associated with the criminal group, according to BPD.

Bakersfield area California Highway Patrol and Bakersfield Police Department held over a shift of officers to combat the takeover and multiple related incidents. K-9 Units also responded to the scene.

The police department stated that “investigations into identities of participants is ongoing and further enforcement action is anticipated, regardless of the home city of the law violators.”

Anyone with information regarding these incidents or who was the victim of an unreported crime as a result of these incidents are encouraged to contact the Bakersfield Police Department at (661) 327-7111.

Video: Jason M, Photojournalist / KNN

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