A dangerous street racing event in Gwinnett County led to a police chase, several arrests, and multiple charges on October 26. Gwinnett County police say a group of drivers blocked the intersection of Oakland Road and Cruse Road, setting items ablaze and using the empty roadway for burnouts.
Just The Facts: Police received reports of the takeover at Oakland and Cruse Roads, which saw drivers blocking the road for stunts and alleged acts of arson. Responding Gwinnett County officers tried to box in vehicles at the scene, prompting a scramble as people fled on foot and in vehicles.
• Officers intercepted several people attempting to flee and deployed stop sticks to halt escape attempts.
• During arrests, police say an approaching 2021 Honda Accord, driven by Jared Sorto Rodriguez, 18, attempted to strike an officer.
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• Stop sticks eventually disabled Rodriguez’s vehicle, and he was apprehended after attempting to hide nearby.
• Rodriguez, along with three others – Luis Garcia-Roque, 19, Fatima Busto-Arcos, 21, and Shamiah Carter, 18 – were arrested and face multiple charges related to street racing.
• Two additional individuals were cited and released at the scene.
The Details: Police report that Rodriguez was pursued after he allegedly attempted to hit an officer with his car. Following the vehicle’s crash, officers located Rodriguez hiding in bushes nearby. Each of the individuals arrested now faces charges connected to street racing, a misdemeanor under Georgia law that criminalizes facilitating or promoting illegal drag racing events.
How You Can Help: The Gwinnett County Police Department urges anyone with information about the street racing incident to contact detectives at 770-513-5300. For anonymous tips, contact Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or online at stopcrimeATL.com, where tipsters may qualify for a cash reward for information leading to arrests and indictments.
In Context: This incident is one in a growing trend of street racing events taking over major intersections, often resulting in safety risks for drivers and police officers alike.
⚠️ Reminder: Crime articles contain only charges and information from police reports and law enforcement statements. Suspects and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
