Pikesville, MD – A coordinated overnight crackdown by the Maryland Car Rally Task Force disrupted multiple illegal street takeovers across the National Capital Region, preventing gatherings that officials said could have drawn as many as 300 participants engaging in exhibition driving and roadway shutdowns.
The joint enforcement operation began at 10 p.m. Saturday and continued until 4 a.m. Sunday, targeting planned rally locations in Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, and Howard counties. Authorities said high-visibility patrols and early intervention prevented several large-scale events from fully forming, while others were dispersed before crowds could grow.
Maryland State Police said the effort focused on sites identified through monitoring and intelligence-sharing among partner agencies.
Arrests made during Camp Springs enforcement
In Camp Springs, troopers arrested the driver and passenger of a black Dodge Charger during enforcement operations. The driver was identified as 19-year-old Jossel Joan Maldonado Sanabria of Fayetteville, North Carolina. His passenger, a 17-year-old from Falls Church, Virginia, was also taken into custody.
Both were charged with possession of a loaded firearm and transported to the Prince George’s County Detention Center for processing.
Officials said rallies were monitored or disrupted at the following locations:
15606 Emerald Way in Bowie
6210 Allentown Road in Camp Springs
8582 Fenton Street in Silver Spring
9500 Marlboro Pike in Upper Marlboro
6050 Fallard Drive in Upper Marlboro
7705 Connecticut Avenue in Chevy Chase
2600 Marble Court in Forestville
1415 Magellan Road in Hanover
- Operation ran from 10 p.m. Saturday through 4 a.m. Sunday
- Crowds of up to 300 participants were anticipated at some locations
- Two arrests made in Camp Springs on firearm charges
The Maryland Car Rally Task Force includes the Maryland State Police, police departments in Prince George’s, Montgomery, Howard and Baltimore counties, Baltimore City Police, and the Maryland Transportation Authority Police. Authorities said the collaboration remains central to addressing illegal street takeovers and exhibition driving across the region.
Maryland State Police said enforcement actions were taken in areas including Silver Spring and Chevy Chase in Montgomery County following reports of vehicles performing donuts and surrounding patrol units during attempted gatherings. Officials did not release additional details about those incidents.
Regional agencies coordinate to curb exhibition driving
Law enforcement leaders said exhibition driving events pose risks to participants, officers, and bystanders due to blocked roadways, reckless maneuvers, and the potential presence of weapons. Agencies plan to continue coordinated patrols and monitoring throughout the NCR in response to ongoing concerns about organized illegal car rallies.
Officials have not announced additional arrests but said investigations remain ongoing.
Task force vows continued enforcement amid rise in rally activity
