Cars rip up parking lots at 2 North County shopping malls

10News learned nearly 2,000 cars from an unknown car club showed up from the Los Angeles area made their way to Westfield North County Mall in Escondido just after 11 p.m. Tuesday. The large number of vehicles caused a major traffic jam on Interstate 15 in the area and prompted the California Highway Patrol to shut down the Via Rancho Parkway off-ramps.

Authorities arrived at the mall and told everyone to leave, but the group then traveled westbound on state Route 78 to The Shoppes in Carlsbad on 2525 El Camino Real.

At that mall's parking lot, many of the cars did donuts that caused huge clouds of smoke. Other group members launched drones to capture the event or set off fireworks.

Authorities got to the mall and ordered everyone to leave the area.

No injuries were reported at either location, and there is no immediate word on any possible damage caused by the car club members.

Several club members told 10News they meet at various locations like malls every year and spread the word via secret social media sources.