Sacramento police arrest one, cite others after illegal sideshow in North Natomas

A man was arrested and many others were cited by officers following an illegal sideshow Friday night in North Natomas, according to the Sacramento Police Department.

In a social media update, police officials said that in addition to the arrest, officers also towed 14 cars and handed out 20 misdemeanor citations and 15 infraction citations. Sideshows are illegal gatherings where drivers perform vehicular stunts and tricks, such as doughnuts, for an audience.

Officer Ryan Woo, a spokesman for the department, said that Tony Bounleuth, 28, was arrested on an outstanding warrant stemming from the organization of a previous sideshow and on fresh charges of suspicion of organizing Friday’s sideshow. Woo said the sideshow was mobile and changed locations throughout the night, but took place in the area surrounding Truxel Avenue and Del Paso Road.

A vehicle is towed away on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, after what police said was an illegal sideshow in North Natomas, California.
A vehicle is towed away on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, after what police said was an illegal sideshow in North Natomas, California.

Sacramento County jail records indicate that Bounleuth was booked at 7:43 p.m. and faces a conspiracy charge from his warrant along with fresh charges of vandalism and conspiracy. Bail was set at $75,000.

On social media, police officials said that the previous sideshow cost thousands of dollars in damage to city streets. Woo explained that damages from sideshows often include the cost of cleaning up tire tracks from the roadway.

“Sacramento PD will continue taking enforcement action related to sideshows & will be obtaining follow-up warrants to tow participant vehicles at a later date,” officials wrote on social media.