CHP seizes 16 vehicles in Bay Bridge sideshow investigation

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Sixteen vehicles allegedly used in a chaotic sideshow on the Bay Bridge in September were seized this week in a California Highway Patrol operation, state authorities announced Friday.

The vehicle seizures come after a month-long investigation into a Sept. 8 sideshow that unfolded at around 3 a.m. on the westbound lanes of the Bay Bridge. Responding CHP officers ran into difficulty reaching the involved group due to the traffic blocking all lanes and the shoulders on the bridge, authorities said. Nearly half an hour later, the group dispersed into San Francisco.

At around 4:30 a.m., another sideshow began blocking eastbound lanes of the Bay Bridge. The group continued on into Oakland after around 15 minutes, CHP said.

Investigators used video evidence and Flock automated license plate reader data to identify a list of 23 suspected vehicles that were involved in the Bay Bridge sideshows. The list was submitted to a San Francisco County Judge and received approval for seizures.

On Wednesday, state investigators went to addresses associated with the suspect vehicles. In total, 16 of the 23 vehicles were seized. “The remaining vehicles remain subject to the seizure orders, and the search for them remains ongoing,” CHP said.

“Working with our allied agency partners, we will continue to use all available technologies to identify people and vehicles involved in these incidents and hold them accountable for their actions,” said CHP Golden Gate Division Chief Don Goodbrand.