They probably did that. But to let them keep the vehicles means that they'll just buy more chop shop parts to ILLEGALLY modify their cars again. Which means more stolen vehicles.
From the article: "It will never go away," Maldonado said. "If it's in your heart, you will continue to do it until you can't anymore."
Sound to you like the kid's going to quit? Did you read WHERE they race?
From the link: The thrill-seeking, adrenaline-pumping activity is rampant in Riverside and San Bernardino counties east of Los Angeles where rows of tract homes line wide streets that attract racers.
You're missing the part where I mentioned the laws against "receiving stolen property" What this is doing is punishing an inanimate object. If the guys are knowingly receiving stolen property, then they should get some jail time. As far as that goes you're not thinking this through. As long as they are not jailed for their illegal activities (ie theft) then they're going to keep committing crimes - crush their car? steal another one. Crushing the cars is just stupid, when the actual criminals are guilty of other crimes. (if they really are guilty of crimes and this isn't just the bureaucrats softening us up for some more tyranny by demonizing an unpopular group first)
where rows of tract homes line wide streets that attract racers.
How about digging potholes in the streets? it makes just as little sense.