South Carolina Street Takeover Ends With 80 Arrests And 38 Cars Impounded

Street takeovers don’t usually end with almost everyone going home in a police car, but that’s apparently what happened in South Carolina over the weekend. Authorities say they arrested 80 adults and multiple juveniles after descending on a takeover in Greenville County. They also impounded 38 vehicles and seized 10 firearms.

According to the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, the gathering took place at the intersection of Locust Hill Road and Fairview Road at around 11:30 p.m. on September 5. Video shared by the sheriff’s office shows a sizable crowd occupying the intersection as a white car spins donuts in the middle. At one point, a person can be seen standing remarkably close to the car while it circles them.

Read: CHP Boxed In Dozens After Street Takeover Spiraled In Long Beach

Another vehicle, which doesn’t appear to be involved in the takeover, can also be seen trying to make its way through the crowd while sounding its horn. The scale of the arrests is notable, but so is what authorities charged people with. The sheriff’s office says all 80 adults were charged with aiding and abetting a street takeover under South Carolina Code Section 56-5-3910. That’s part of the state’s new Roadway Protection and Safety Act, which became law earlier this year.

Importantly, the statute doesn’t simply target whoever is behind the wheel. South Carolina defines an aider or abettor as someone who assists with planning, coordinating, or physically aiding a takeover. The law specifically mentions activities including blocking roads, collecting entry fees, selling concessions, and directing vehicles.

For a first offense, aiding or abetting a takeover is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $100, as much as 30 days behind bars, or both. Penalties increase for subsequent offenses. The law also gives authorities significant power over vehicles used during a takeover, including seizure and potential forfeiture following a conviction. That’s particularly interesting here given the 38 vehicles that deputies say they impounded. The investigation remains ongoing, and officials say further charges may follow.

Lead Photo: Greenville Sheriff’s Office