LAUREL, Md. — Maryland State Police said nearly a dozen illegal street takeovers were shut down Saturday night across the state. In all, seven people were arrested, and police recovered a stolen car and an illegal firearm.
It was the latest action from the Maryland Car Rally Task Force, which has been cracking down on illegal car meetups in Maryland over the last several months. Late Saturday night and early Sunday morning, law enforcement agencies shut down almost a dozen of the meetups.
Police say in some cases, nearly 200 people were gathered in parking lots and attempting to shut down intersections throughout the region. Police responded to the following locations in Baltimore County, Prince George's County and Anne Arundel County:
- 10:40pm: 5710 A Wabash Avenue, Baltimore, MD
- 11:10pm: 2880-2894 Rolling Rd, Windsor Mill, MD
- 11:49pm: 3030 Liberty Heights Ave, Baltimore, MD
- 12:07am: 1801 Washington Blvd, Baltimore, MD
- 12:40am: N Eutaw at W. North Ave, Baltimore, MD
- 12:34am: I-195 Park and Ride, Catonsville, MD
- 1:40am: 7900 Governor Ritchie Hwy, Glen Burnie, MD
- 2:22am: 12705 Laurel-Bowie Rd, Laurel, MD
- 3:25am: Konterra Dr and Sweitzer Ln, Laurel, MD
- 3:30am: I-95 at Ebenezer Road/Philadelphia Road, White Marsh, MD
- 4:00am: 812A Oregon Avenue, Linthicum Heights, MD
Daniel Linton, 20, of Port Deposit was charged with assaulting a police officer and destruction of property, along with traffic offenses.
Sh’Nard Martinez-Eric Pope, 24, of Baltimore, Chase Andrew Cover, 19, of Halethorpe, and Alycia Destiny Cropper, 22, of Middle River were arrested and charged in connection with a stolen vehicle.
Christian Thayn Dean, 21, of Columbia, was charged with disorderly conduct.
William Starkey, 21, of Baltimore was charged with disorderly conduct.
Marcellus Cortez Swann, 33, of Baltimore was arrested for DUI and charged criminally for carrying a handgun while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, police said.
Since June 2024, the Maryland Car Rally Task Force has focused on investigating and addressing exhibition driving events, knowns as ‘takeovers’. These illegal activities involve blocking public roads for dangerous stunts, disrupting traffic, causing property damage and posing risks to the public.
"Increased patrols in identified hotspot areas have been conducted along with comprehensive investigations to identify and charge those involved. This proactive approach includes enhanced traffic enforcement and the initiation of criminal investigations against the perpetrators," Maryland State Police said in a press statement.