NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!. A massive “takeover” targeting the Bay Bridge was shut down before it could start, as California law enforcement blocked a surge of bicycle riders attempting to storm one of the state’s busiest commuter routes.. The California Highway Patrol’s San Francisco Area office, working with the San Francisco Police Department, identified the group as it rode recklessly through city streets and moved quickly to stop the attempt before it reached the bridge on March 28.. Authorities tracked the riders in real time as they made their way toward the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge, eventually entering via the Harrison Street off-ramp — riding the wrong way into oncoming traffic.. That is where officers had already positioned themselves.. VIRAL ‘TAKEOVER’ CHAOS ERUPTS AS TEEN BRAWL BREAKS OUT, MULTIPLE ARRESTS AFTER MALL MELEE CAUGHT ON VIDEO. CHP and SFPD officers blocked the group, stopping the takeover before it reached the freeway.. Video released by CHP shows a police helicopter overhead as officers moved in and blocked access to the bridge.. Officials said the response was deliberate and based on prior incidents, where similar groups have progressed from city streets onto the bridge.. TEEN MOBS SWARM DOWNTOWN IN CHAOTIC TAKEOVER—FIGHTS ERUPT, CARS TARGETED BEFORE CURFEW CRACKDOWN HITS. “The group was observed riding through the city. Similar incidents in the past have progressed to the group entering the bridge,” a CHP spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “We worked with SFPD to stage units nearby and continue to monitor.”. “Through ongoing communications and a lot of moving parts, the theory was proven correct and the group was intercepted before gaining access,” the spokesperson said.. In total, 85 individuals were detained and cited for illegally riding bicycles on a freeway, officials said. All were released at the scene, and 85 bicycles were seized.. VIOLENT DC TEEN TAKEOVER IN UPSCALE NEIGHBORHOOD ESCALATES TO GUNFIRE. Image 1 of 5. next. Image 2 of 5. prev next. Image 3 of 5. prev next. Image 4 of 5. prev next. Image 5 of 5. prev. Officials said the bicycles will be checked through a stolen property database, and any identified as stolen could lead to additional charges. The spokesperson added that, in similar incidents, “there aren’t typically stolen bikes, as participants take a lot of personal pride in their rides,” describing the groups as similar to sideshow activity.. Authorities said the group’s behavior leading up to the incident was dangerous and escalating, with riders swerving through traffic, approaching moving vehicles and pedestrians, and in some cases intentionally riding at oncoming cars.. GOT A TIP?. “Throughout the incident, riders were seen riding directly at moving vehicles, swerving in and out of traffic, and coming dangerously close to pedestrians,” CHP said, warning that such behavior “cannot be tolerated.”. Officials added that the risks would have been even greate
