Latest news with #MarylandCarRallyTaskForce
CBS News
6 days ago
- Automotive
- CBS News
Police dismantle five more car rallies across Maryland
Police dismantled five car rallies over the weekend, according to the Maryland Car Rally Task Force. The Maryland Car Rally Task Force, in combination with other county police departments, conducted coordinated enforcement operations starting at 9:40 p.m. on June 1. Officers targeted public roads, industrial zones and parking lots throughout the county. High visibility enforcement and patrols prevented crowds of up to 400 people from shutting down roadways and engaging in exhibition driving events, according to police. Where did the rallies take place? The task force responded to five locations across Prince George's County: 4600 Hargrove Drive in Lanham 15887 Commerce Court in Upper Marlboro 9172 Hampton Drive in Capital Heights 12018 Indian Creek Court in Beltsville 812 Oregon Avenue in Linthicum Heights Maryland Car Rally Task Force cracks down on exhibition driving In May, Maryland State Police dismantled three car rallies in Prince George's County. In the process, they arrested a man who they accused of stealing a car connected to a Baltimore County car dealership. In February, five people between the ages of 19 and 22 were arrested in another street racing takedown, where police said they stopped seven events. WJZ obtained video showing a large car rally blocking the intersection of Auchentoroly and Gwynns Falls in Northwest Baltimore. The broader crackdown on car rallies came in June 2024, after House Bill 601 made exhibition driving and street races illegal in Maryland. The law defines exhibition driving as operating a vehicle close to a crowd and intentionally skidding, swerving while accelerating or causing the wheels to lose contact with the ground, among other actions. In December 2024, authorities arrested five people, four of them minors, after a task force disrupted 10 illegal car gatherings over a single weekend.
CBS News
24-02-2025
- CBS News
Five people arrested during Maryland car rallies as task force cracks down on illegal street racing
Five people were arrested as Maryland's Car Rally Task Force broke up illegal events in Baltimore City, and Baltimore and Prince George's Counties, according to State Police. Between Saturday, Feb. 22, and Sunday, Feb. 23, the task force dismantled seven events where illegal exhibition driving was taking place. The following people were arrested and charged, according to Maryland State Police: Joseph Derek Houck, 20, of Hagerstown was charged with assault on a trooper and theft Corey Jones, 20, of Walkersville was charged with unlawfully taking a vehicle Isaiah Simmons, 20, of Walkersville was charged with unlawfully taking a vehicle Jalil Turner, 19, of Walkersville was charged with unlawfully taking a vehicle Joshua Peter Placide, 22, of New York was charged with DUI and 15 traffic violations The illegal car meets occurred at the following locations: 3326 Auchentoroly Terrace in Baltimore 100 West Cold Spring Lane and 3300 Hillen Road in Baltimore 3967 Boston Street in Baltimore 100 Ridgewood Road in Baltimore 6351 Ammendale Road in Beltsville Annapolis Road at Forbes Blvd in Lanham Maryland cracks down on car meets In June 2024, House Bill 601 went into effect, making exhibition driving and street races illegal. The law defines exhibition driving as operating a vehicle close to a crowd and intentionally skidding, swerving while accelerating or causing the wheels to lose contact with the ground, among other actions. Those convicted of exhibition driving could face 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. If the illegal conduct results in harm to another person, the maximum prison sentence is one year. Maryland Car Rally Task Force Since the law went into effect, the Maryland Car Rally Task Force has been cracking down on illegal street races. In December 2024, five people, including four minors, were arrested after the task force broke up 10 illegal car meets in one weekend. "There are upwards of 200 or 300 participants," said Elena Russo, spokesperson for Maryland State Police. "This is not just a danger to those in these vehicles, but also a danger to the spectators, and oftentimes, these investigations turn into recovery of stolen vehicles, illegal firearms and outstanding warrants." Two stolen vehicles were recovered during the response.
