Maryland task force breaks up illegal car rallies across four counties
Pikesville, MD — A coordinated enforcement operation late Saturday night shut down multiple illegal car rallies across central Maryland, leading to five arrests and the recovery of several loaded firearms, state police said.
The Maryland Car Rally Task Force dismantled four large-scale car rallies and prevented four additional events from forming during a regional operation spanning Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, and Prince George’s counties. The effort began around 9 p.m. Saturday and focused on areas commonly targeted for exhibition driving, including public roadways, industrial zones, and large parking lots.
Five people were arrested during the operation, including four juveniles and one adult. Maryland State Police charged two teenage boys, ages 16 and 17 from Silver Spring, with multiple handgun offenses involving loaded firearms found in vehicles and on their persons. Two additional 17-year-old males from Silver Spring and Laurel were charged with handgun offenses connected to loaded firearms found in vehicles. Christopher Solis, 23, of Ellicott City, was also arrested on handgun-related charges.
In total, officers recovered five firearms during the enforcement actions.
Authorities responded to and dismantled illegal driving exhibitions at Walden Lane in Lanham, Crossroads Drive in Odenton, Ammendale Road in Beltsville, and Hollins Ferry Road in Baltimore. Additional planned rallies were prevented from forming in Laurel, Silver Spring, Jessup, and Halethorpe due to high-visibility patrols and enforcement.
The task force includes Maryland State Police along with officers from Prince George’s, Howard, Montgomery, Anne Arundel, and Baltimore counties, Baltimore City Police, and Maryland Transportation Authority Police. Officials said the operation was aimed at preventing dangerous driving behavior, roadway shutdowns, and disorderly conduct.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges are possible.
Key Points
- Police dismantled four illegal car rallies and prevented four more across central Maryland
- Five people were arrested and five loaded firearms were recovered
- The operation involved multiple law enforcement agencies across several counties