Portland Police Tow Multiple Vehicles, Arrest Suspect During Street Takeover Crackdown
PORTLAND, OR – Portland police towed multiple vehicles and arrested a Seattle man during a series of enforcement actions targeting illegal street racing and street takeovers late Saturday night and early Sunday morning.
The Portland Police Bureau said officers from North Precinct and the Traffic Division responded to several reports of illegal racing and street takeovers beginning around 11 p.m.
The first response was near North Marine Drive and North Leadbetter Road, where officers found more than 60 vehicles involved in racing, reckless driving, and the use of mortar fireworks and lasers. As officers moved in, they saw an estimated 150 to 200 vehicles fleeing the area. Multiple traffic stops were made, and several vehicles were towed.
Officers later responded to reports of another gathering near North Lombard Street and North Chautauqua Boulevard, but participants fled before police could take enforcement action after learning officers were nearby.
Police then moved to another street takeover near Northeast First Avenue and Northeast Multnomah Street, where officers dispersed a large crowd that had blocked roadways while setting off fireworks and engaging in reckless driving. Additional traffic stops were made, and more vehicles were towed.
At about 1:51 a.m., officers responded to another illegal street takeover near Northeast 102nd Avenue and Northeast Glisan Street. Police said they saw a driver performing donuts while endangering pedestrians and carrying a passenger hanging out of the vehicle’s window.
Officers arrested 22-year-old Jerome L. Washington Jr., of Seattle, after a brief attempt to evade police. He was booked on charges of unlawful street takeover, attempting to elude a police officer, reckless driving, reckless endangering another person and driving under the influence of intoxicants. His vehicle was also towed.
Following the final enforcement action, police said no additional street racing or street takeover activity was found.
“We remain committed to disrupting this dangerous behavior as resources allow,” the Portland Police Bureau said.