More than 50 people arrested at San Bernardino car show

More than 50 people were arrested at an Inland Empire car show this weekend for their alleged connection to an assault on a San Bernardino County deputy in May.

The arrests took place Saturday afternoon, as dozens of people gathered at an abandoned property in Adelanto, according to a statement from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

Deputies say Saturday's arrests stem from an incident in Highland in May, when a crowd of people at a street takeover were filmed kicking, punching, fist and attempted to pull a deputy from his patrol car.

“As the deputy attempted to disperse the crowd, bystanders surrounded the marked sheriff’s patrol vehicle and proceeded to vandalize the patrol vehicle,” an SBSD statement said. “Bystanders damaged the windshield and body panels of the patrol vehicle. Investigators identified participants in the street takeover in Highland and found they were connected to area car clubs of the High Desert.”

Investigators say High Desert car clubs have shown similar behavior during street takeovers, with various club members posting videos of stunt driving, sometimes in stolen cars, and openly displaying firearms.

“As a result of the investigation, several search warrants were served in the town of Victorville,” deputies said. “Search warrants revealed stolen firearms and a stolen Dodge Hellcat.”

On Saturday, as part of the Operation Consequences crime-fighting movement, personnel from the Victorville, Victor Valley, Apple Valley and Hesperia stations, along with the Sheriff's Gang and Narcotics Division units, conducted an “Operation crackdown” at the Adelanto property, where they found car club members performing show maneuvers, according to the release.

Deputies arrested a total of 56 people, including 19 minors. The 37 adults arrested were taken to the High Desert Detention Center where they were cited and released.

Juveniles were also cited before being released to their families, deputies said.

Twenty-three cars were towed and a stolen Chevrolet Camaro was recovered.

“This type of recklessness will not be tolerated in San Bernardino County,” said Sheriff Shannon Dicus. “Arrests will be ensured and cars impounded if these street attacks continue.”