Fire and looting erupted across Los Angeles in the early morning hours Saturday as two unruly street takeovers spiraled into chaos just hours apart.
The disturbing incidents unfolded in East Los Angeles and the Gramercy Park neighborhood.
Both sprang from rowdy street takeovers, despite mounting public outrage and a steady infusion of city resources dedicated to stopping them.
A car fire erupted after a street takeover in the southern part of the city. Los Angeles fire officials told The California Post that an engine responded to an auto fire around 4:52 a.m. and put out the massive blaze.
Footage from the scene also showed Los Angeles Police Department officers watching the fire with skid marks covering the ground.
A police spokesperson told The California Post that officers arrived minutes earlier to disperse a large crowd involved in a street takeover and that had also been setting off fireworks. They took a report of the burnt vehicle in the roadway, but there was no information on whether any arrests were made.
It’s unclear how the car fire started.
In an incident that appears to be separate, an AutoZone was looted at 1131 S. Atlantic Blvd after a street takeover around 2:20 a.m. Spectators are believed to have been responsible for breaking into the store.
Deputies from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department responded to the break-in.
Video footage showed the decimated auto parts store. One of the store’s glass front doors was shattered, with glass spread across its front walkway. The store had items of all kinds strewn across the floor, including car batteries, wiper fluid, and auto accessories.
A spilled Modelo beer can could also be seen in one of the aisles of the store.
At least $50,000 in merchandise and three cash registers were stolen, according to a video stringer at the scene. Police nearly caught some residents trying to sneak off with goods found next to the store in an alley, the stringer added.
Dozens of skid marks could be seen outside of the AutoZone, which the stringer said will remain closed for now.
It’s unclear if any arrests were made.
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