Arrests Made, Tickets Issued in Law Enforcement Clamp Down on Krispy Kreme Car Meet

Three people were arrested and tickets were issued in a law enforcement clampdown on a popular unauthorized car meet Tuesday night.

Burbank's Empire Center closed down early due to the event that was to be held at the Krispy Kreme doughnut store parking lot, while there were deputies waiting when drivers tried to meet up at another Krispy Kreme in the City of Industry.

Of those arrested during the clampdown, two were collared for outstanding warrants and a third was taken into custody for carrying a knife. In addition 40 tickets were handed out, mostly for not drivers not having a license plate on the front of their car.

Earlier in the day the organizer of the event, which has drawn thousands to the Burbank Krispy Kreme doughnut store, said he canceled the event because of  "police overkill."

Many of the people who had planning to show up at the Empire Center said online they were going to meet at the next nearest Krispy Kreme on South Azusa in the City of Industry, and this led to more lawmen mustering at that location.

The Burbank Empire Center shut down many of the entrances to the parking lot — brought in a big deployment of police officers, and a ton of tow trucks — who are standing by ready to haul away any illegally modified vehicles.

Some of the businesses, including Krispy Kreme closed at 4 p.m. Tuesday, even though the event wasn't scheduled to begin until 9 p.m.

The unofficial car show was promoted on social media as Krispy Kreme Tuesdays — even though the doughnut shop is not a sponsor.

About 6,000 people were invited and at least 2,000 had responded online that they were going. Event organizers don't have a permit to hold an event there on private property — so Burbank police are calling it a public nuisance.

The event started three years ago — when about 3,000 car enthusiasts gathered in the parking lot of the Burbank Empire Center.

The shopping center issued a statement saying the past gatherings have proved disastrous to businesses, customers, and local residents.

The event organizer, Jeremy Lee, said he got a letter from the city attorney threatening him with legal action. He feels police overreacted because the gathering is peaceful. He said the people who turn out are just everyday people who like cars — yet police are treating them like criminals.

The organizer said he's not sure what to expect in the City of Industry Tuesday night, but many people are planning to show up there instead. He said he will consider applying for a permit to try and make the event official later in the summer.

Burbank police had beefed up patrols in anticipation of large crowds.

"The Burbank Police Department will always respect and recognize the rights of individuals to peacefully and lawfully assemble," according to a police statement issued Sunday. "We also respect and recognize the need for area residents and businesses to safely utilize city streets and services."

Mass gatherings like the one being planned can create a public nuisance, disturb the peace and adversely impact the safe and efficient flow of traffic, police said.

"To that end, the Burbank Police Department will be fully deployed in the area to enforce all applicable laws, including those involving illegal engine/vehicle modifications," according to police.

A similar gathering at the center on Aug. 13, 2013, drew as many as 3,500 people and 1,100 cars. While no arrests were made, officers issued more than 100 citations for motor vehicle code and moving violations, police said.

A similar event held in November 2012 largely caught police by surprise.

The event was billed on social media as a "Krispy Kreme Tuesdays" gathering of car enthusiasts displaying their sometimes-modified vehicles. A posting on Facebook by organizers said the 9 p.m. gathering is not a "flash mob car show."

"We do not condone public damages and/or road blocking at Krispy Kreme/Empire Center," according to the post.

Toni Guinyard, Gadi Schwartz and City News Service contributed to this report.