When five cop cars, with flashing lights, were parked at the south entrance to the UC parking lot on Friday, September 16, many speculated about the young gentlemen sitting on the curb being questioned by police.
Just across the street from University City High School in Rose Canyon, west of the school campus, the young adults were apparently off-roading when their vehicle got stuck on the railroad tracks that run along the edge of Rose Canyon, according to Campus Police Officer Luis Espinoza.
After hearing uncommon noises in the canyon at 7:00 a.m., according to Espinoza, local residents called the police. Off-roading is prohibited in marked canyons throughout the County of San Diego, so the police responded in full force.
Trying to figure out why there were so many officers present, a passerby, Freshman Melissa Gonzalez, made an assumption: “I thought it was a drug deal. There were five cop cars all with lights flashing parked by the canyon.”
Allegations about other criminal activity may have risen from claims that one of the two off-roaders had attempted to run from the police upon their arrival. These charges were dropped when it was discovered that there was just a misunderstanding, according to Espinosa. Principal Jeff Olivero said, “There were unverified claims that the vehicle was stolen. It was just a lot to do about nothing.”
An hour and a half later, the scene had been cleaned up, according to Espinoza. The vehicle was removed from the tracks with the help of a local tow truck company, and the crowds that had assembled disbursed.
According to Espinoza, no criminal charges were filed against the young thrill seekers, for off-roading, or otherwise.