YouTubers charged over street racing, cars seized
LOS ANGELES: Rushdan Abdallah’s videos on YouTube have been viewed by millions and offer an upclose glimpse of car culture in southern California — getting caught in the middle of a police chase, sampling new vehicle models and street racing with other drivers as the camera rolls (the odometer blurred).
But in December, Abdallah’s page, with more than 220,000 subscribers, abruptly went dormant. After weeks without new videos, Abdallah said he ‘‘had to make an update’’ and revealed what was going on.
Police had recently arrived at his Lake Forest residence with a search warrant.
‘‘They just showed up one morning, knocked on the door and towed both cars away,’’ Abdallah said.
Two fellow YouTubers also had their homes raided by police, he said.
‘‘I’m in tears. I haven’t had my cars for over 100 days, and that’s insane to think about,’’ he said, adding, ‘‘I love my channel, I love my cars, and I love sharing the videos with you.’’
The criminal investigation into
Abdallah became clearer last week when the Irvine Police Department arrested the 26yearold and four others and charged them with conspiracy to participate in illegal street races across Orange County.
Prosecutors say the men have held races through Irvine, Tustin, Lake Forest and Foothill Ranch, predominantly on the 241 and 261 tollways, racing at up to 257kmh.
‘‘Noone driving on our roads should suddenly find themselves in the middle of what equates to a Nascar race being raced by amateurs who are not trained or skilled enough to drive vehicles being pushed to their mechanical limits,’’ Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said in a statement.
‘‘Street racing is irresponsible,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s dangerous and it shows a complete disregard for the lives of everyone involved, including the participants, the spectators, and the innocent bystanders.’’
Neither Abdallah nor the defence attorney listed in court records, Randy Sarmiento, responded to messages seeking comment.
Abdallah was released on $US20,000 ($NZ27,850) bail, and a judge ordered him not to drive. His next court appearance is in April.
Street racing has been a growing concern among law enforcement officers and community members. Last year, socalled ‘‘street takeovers’’ in Costa Mesa and Anaheim left one man dead and two injured.
A Los Angeles Times investigation found that 179 people had died in speed contests in LA County from 2000 to 2017. — TNS