Portland Police officers arrested more than 20 people over the weekend in a bold effort to put an end to the illegal muggings and car racing that have plagued the city.
During the tense mission, which even saw one suspect launch fireworks at officers desperately trying to escape, authorities encountered several drivers, including the owner of a black Chevy ‘Batmobile.’
From Friday evening, officers took to the streets en masse to check for possible street takeovers, where people illegally close off intersections so they can race their cars or perform stunts.
During their mission, two people were killed when a car the police were trying to stop crashed into a power pole, killing the occupants.
Portland Police officers arrested more than 20 people over the weekend in a bold effort to put an end to the illegal muggings and car racing plaguing the city
During the high-octane mission, authorities ticketed numerous drivers, including the owner of a black Chevy ‘Batmobile’
During the night, police broke up several street takeovers and seized a stolen vehicle.
On Saturday, officers had to repel at least six attempts by the underground racers to take over intersections.
The police managed to dismantle each street takeover, with the first one ending within fifteen minutes.
As the night progressed, officers arrested 11 people, including a 19-year-old driver, on various offenses, including 100 counts of recklessly endangering another person and unlawful possession of a firearm.
At another time, Portland police stopped a “Batmobile” at 2700 North Marine Drive and issued a traffic ticket to the driver.
Another driver who was driving recklessly at an intersection tried to flee on foot after officers punctured his tires with spikes.
Since Friday evening, officers have been flooding the streets looking for street takeovers, where people illegally close off intersections so they can race their cars or perform stunts.
An abandoned Ford Mustang has been recovered by authorities
With the help of a K9 unit, authorities were able to arrest the man in someone’s yard.
Police disrupted another street takeover at the intersection of NE Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Columbia Boulevard, where a teenager, hoping to escape, shot fireworks at authorities.
The officers were still able to arrest them.
Things were a bit quieter on Sunday, as police thwarted two attempted street takeovers in separate locations in southeast Portland.
At the first location, the intersection of Southeast 2nd Avenue and Morrison Street, officers arrested a 17-year-old driver and towed their 1998 Ford Mustang.
By the time the operation wrapped up Sunday night, Portland authorities had conducted more than 140 traffic stops and towed more than 20 vehicles.
By the time the operation wrapped up Sunday night, Portland authorities had conducted more than 140 traffic stops and towed more than 20 vehicles.
On Saturday, the officers had to deal with at least six attempts by the underground racers to take over intersections
The Portland Police Bureau received assistance in its mission from other law enforcement agencies, including the Vancouver Police Department and the Oregon State Police.
According to local residents, this kind of reckless driving is unfortunately not new.
“The amount of years we’ve been here, we’ve adapted to it. We’ve adapted to it,” said Synaca Hall, who lives nearby, KOIN.
“Something definitely needs to change because it’s annoying,” she added.
In an interview with KGW8Hall indicated that she approved of the police mission.
“I feel like they’re on the cusp of doing what they need to do to stop these types of takeovers.”
Earlier this week, police learned via social media that between 500 and 1,000 people would be coming to Portland for the “West Coast Invitational,” a planned takeover of the streets.
Last year, the same event resulted in a murder, two shootings and a fatal car crash.
Things calmed down on Sunday as police thwarted two attempted street takeovers in separate locations in southeast Portland
Thanks to their advance warning, Portland police were able to prepare for the situation and alert the public.
On Thursday, PPB Lieutenant Chadd Stensgaard warned local residents during a press conference.
“These events are dangerous,” warned Lieutenant Stensgaard.
“These are young, inexperienced drivers who come with powerful cars. They bring weapons to these events.”