Crime and Courts

Ringleader, three others busted after sideshow planned near Fashion Valley Mall

San Diego police said 200 tried to target intersections for takeovers and that ghost gun was recovered after weapon was fired

This ghost gun and 32-shot magazine were recovered by police after a sideshow was planned for an intersection near the Fashion Valley Mall.

Police arrested the suspected organizer of a series of planned street takeovers at multiple San Diego intersections last weekend, authorities said Wednesday.

Calijah "Zilla" Young was arrested as the alleged ringleader of the takeovers, according to SDPD Detective Sgt. John Ampol. Young was booked on suspicion of conspiracy to commit felony vandalism, exhibition of speed, reckless driving, facilitating an exhibition of speed and obstructing arrest.

Three teens were also detained in connection with the planned takeovers, according to the San Diego Police Department.

Ampol said a group of about 200 people tried to target the following intersections on Saturday:

  • Genesee Avenue and Science Center Drive
  • Ruffin Road and Ridgehaven Court
  • Fashion Valley Road and Riverwalk Drive
  • 2100 Market St.
  • Harvest Road and Airway Road

The SDPD's Traffic and Western divisions responded and prevented the group from carrying out the plan.

The group was able to carry out one intersection takeover Saturday at Kenwood Drive and Bancroft Drive in Spring Valley, Ampol said. They caused an estimated $13,800 in damage to the roadway, he said.

Officers at the Fashion Valley Road and Riverwalk Drive location heard gunshots as a white Kia sedan sped away from the scene. A stop of the vehicle was conducted, and the three teens were detained.

A loaded unserialized "ghost gun" was recovered from the vehicle containing a 32-round magazine, Ampol said. Spent shell casings allegedly were also found inside the vehicle. One of the teens was booked into Juvenile Hall and the other two were released to family members.

Additional participants, including other coordinators of the events, were being sought for potential criminal charges.

Copyright CNS - City News Service
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