Cops make unbelievable bust during mass street takeover that even saw souped-up racing car speeding down highway hurling fireworks at officers

Portland police officers arrested more than 20 people over the weekend in a daring bid to break up the illegal street takeovers and car races that have plagued the city.

During the high-octane mission, which even involved one suspect launching fireworks at officers in a desperate getaway, authorities cited numerous drivers, including the owner of a black Chevy 'Batmobile.'

Beginning Friday night, the officers flooded the streets to seek out any street takeovers, which involve people illegally shutting down intersections so that they can race their cars or perform stunts.

During their mission, two people were killed when a car that the police had tried to pull over smashed into a power pole, killing the people inside the vehicle. 

Over the course of the rest of the night, the police broke up several street takeovers and seized a stolen vehicle. 

On Saturday, the officers had to deal with at least six attempts by the underground racers to seize intersections. 

The police successfully dismantled each street takeover, breaking up the first one in less than fifteen minutes.

As the night wore on, the officers arrested eleven individuals, including a 19-year-old driver on several felony charges, including 100 counts of recklessly endangering another person and unlawful possession of a firearm.

At another point, the Portland police stopped a 'Batmobile' around 2700 North Marine Drive, where the driver was cited for a traffic violation.

Another driver who was spinning recklessly in one intersection tried to flee on foot after officers used spike strips to pierce his tires. 

With the help of a K9 unit, authorities were able to nab the individual in someone's yard.

The police disrupted another street takeover at the intersection of NE Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Columbia Boulevard, where one teen, hoping to get away, blasted fireworks at the authorities. 

The officers were still able to arrest them.

On Sunday, things were slower and the police foiled two attempts at street takeovers in different Southeast Portland locations. 

At the first spot, the intersection of Southeast 2nd Avenue and Morrison Street, officers arrested a 17-year-old driver and towed their 1998 Ford Mustang. 

By the time the operation concluded on Sunday night, the Portland authorities had made over 140 traffic stops and towed more than 20 vehicles.

The Portland Police Bureau was assisted by other law enforcement agencies- including Vancouver police and Oregon State Police- in their mission.

Local residents explained that this kind of reckless driving is unfortunately nothing new.

'The amount of years we’ve been here, we adapted to it. We adjusted to it,' Synaca Hall, who lives in the area, told KOIN.

'Some change needs to happen for sure, because it's a nuisance,' she added. 

In an interview with KGW8, Hall expressed her approval of the police's mission.

'I feel like they are on the mend of doing  what they are supposed to do as far as cracking down on these takeovers.'

Earlier in the week, the police had learned on social media that somewhere between 500 and 1,000 people would be descending on Portland for the 'West Coast Invitational'- a planned street takeover.

Last year, the same event resulted in a homicide, two shootings, and a fatal car crash.

Their advanced notice allowed allowed the Portland Police Bureau to prepare for the situation and to warn the public about it.

On Thursday, PPB Lt. Chadd Stensgaard sounded the alarm to locals at a press conference.

'These events are dangerous,' Lt. Stensgaard cautioned.

'These are young, inexperienced drivers that come with high-powered cars. They bring guns to these events.'