By SEMA News Editors
What started out as a local photography meetup for car enthusiasts at the Los Angeles River near Cypress Park turned into 72 impounded vehicles by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). Trespassing citations were issued as drivers had gathered in the river channel.
Fox 11 News reported that LAPD said its street-racing task force responded around 6:30 p.m. Sunday, June 7, 2026, to the 400 block of N. San Fernando Road, where drivers had gathered in the concreted channel.
Drivers who spoke with FOX 11 said they believed they were attending a photoshoot for the Los Angeles car community, not a street takeover. (The news outlet was unable to determine whether the police had classified the event as an actual street race.)
Alexander Pimienta, whose motorcycle was seized, told FOX 11 the gathering had been promoted online as a river photoshoot against the L.A. . skyline. He said posted “no trespassing” signs were barely noticeable, and that he and other enthusiasts had no harmful intent.
Some drivers had done burnouts, Pimienta acknowledged, but they left before police arrived. According to him, most were there simply to enjoy themselves, and the situation escalated after a few bad actors drew attention.
Angel Rodriguez, per FOX11, whose Ford Mustang was also impounded, said he had just arrived when the atmosphere started to shift, with some drivers acting recklessly.
Both Pimienta and Rodriguez added they were unaware that the river channel was restricted. Rodriguez further suggested that if the area is truly off-limits, city officials should install better barriers to prevent access.
The two men expressed concern that the impoundments created a significant financial burden, far beyond what they might expect from a simple trespassing ticket. (Pimienta estimated that retrieving a vehicle after a 30-day hold could cost around $3,000.)
Rodriguez further saw vehicle impoundment as excessive, feeling that issuing citations alone would have been more appropriate, especially since many attendees were surprised to learn they were trespassing.
For the original story by Andres Gutierrez, visit the FOX LA website.
Image courtesy of Shutterstock | Logan Bush
