Teenage girl arrested after illegal sideshow in Merced. Dozens involved, police say

A teenage girl was arrested Saturday night in an illegal sideshow in Merced where 50 to 80 spectators were involved, according to the Merced Police Department.

The 16-year-old girl was arrested “for exhibition of speed, driving without a license and resisting officers,” the police department announced on its Facebook page late Saturday.

Officers interrupted the sideshow, which was taking place at the Tractor Supply parking lot at Coffee Street and Mission Avenue in south Merced, around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday.

The vehicle the teenage girl was driving was impounded for 30 days, according to police.

There were various vehicles involved in the illegal event, police said, and anywhere between 50 to 80 spectators.

In Fresno, several of these illegal and reckless events have been broken up by police who have warned anyone caught hanging around videotaping sideshows can also face legal consequences.

In Turlock, a Tracy man was shot to death at a New Year’s Eve sideshow, police there said.