LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Dozens of people were arrested early Monday morning in a street racing bust in South Los Angeles.

California Highway Patrol officers assisted Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies in the operation on Broadway Avenue near Rosecrans, officials said.

Investigators were surveying the area from a helicopter when they witnessed several street races in Compton, Carson and Rancho Dominguez.

The groups then converged around 12:30 a.m. when authorities blocked off two intersections to trap the 250-300 racers and spectators.

Deputies estimate about 44 arrests were made and 209 citations were issued.

At least 54 vehicles were towed.

“On behalf of the Highway Patrol and the Sheriff’s Department, I think we feel great,” Deputy Nemeth said. “This was a huge success. I think we prevented a lot of accidents and or possible fatalities. This is an ongoing problem that we hopefully can squash.”

Authorities say street racing is common in the area on Saturday and Sunday nights.

“The movies, perhaps, increase the number of individuals who want to come out and check it out,” Lt. Jodi Hutak said. “When you have individuals who are very inexperienced in their driving abilities to begin with, and then now they’re trying to do these tricks that others are emulating they put themselves at risk.”