Police arrested two men with large social media followings on felony charges, and issued dozens of citations as law enforcement targeted local illegal street racing.
The joint operation by the San Diego Police Department and California Highway Patrol focused on street racing and sideshows in Otay Mesa, Paradise Hills, Scripps Ranch and Tierrasanta.
The crackdown began around 12:15 a.m. Saturday when investigators identified a social media group coordinating a series of street takeovers, according to the SDPD.
Over several hours, participants traveled to multiple intersections across the city, including Otay Mesa Road and Ocean View Hills Parkway, Tonawanda and Reo drives, Scripps Ranch Court and Scripps Ranch Boulevard and Clairemont Mesa and Antigua boulevards.
Officers arrested Joshua David Ruiz, 18, after he allegedly drove a rented U-Haul pickup truck and participated in a sideshow in Scripps Ranch. Investigators estimate the sideshow caused approximately $5,153 in roadway damage.
Ruiz was already known to authorities for social media posts depicting dangerous driving on local freeways. According to police, this included “white lining,” when a driver, at high speeds, weaves through narrow gaps between vehicles in adjacent lanes.
The maneuver, police said in a news release, has “little or no margin for error” and drivers place “themselves and the public at risk of a serious or fatal collision” when using it.
Ruiz was booked into San Diego County Central Jail on charges of felony vandalism, exhibition of speed and reckless driving.
Jesus Arias-Ruiz Jr., 27, is accused of driving a blue BMW M4 in the same Scripps Ranch sideshow. Investigators allege that he has a history of promoting illicit gatherings and say his actions Saturday contributed to the $5,153 in damage.
When officers attempted to stop Arias-Ruiz, he allegedly fled at speeds exceeding 100 mph and turned off his vehicle’s headlights on Interstate 15 and surface streets, police said. Ground units terminated the pursuit for public safety reasons, but an SDPD helicopter continued to track the vehicle.
On Monday, the SDPD’s Traffic Special Investigations Unit, assisted by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, located and arrested Arias-Ruiz. He was booked into Central Jail on suspicion of felony evading, felony vandalism, parole violation, exhibition of speed and reckless driving.
During the operation, officers also made two DUI arrests, and issued multiple citations, for alleged misdemeanors, moving violations and equipment violations. They also pursued four additional crime cases and impounded two vehicles.
Authorities said investigations stemming from the operation will continue.
