JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is continuing its push to crack down on dangerous street racing in Jacksonville streets, in partnership with the Florida Highway Patrol.
This is an initiative that the News4JAX I-TEAM has been closely following for over a year.
Over the weekend, officers and 10 FHP troopers responded to a planned street racing event taking place on the Westside. According to arrest reports, JSO and FHP interrupted a highway takeover on Interstate 295, where participants blocked southbound traffic at Normandy Boulevard.
One driver was pulled over after police caught him driving at 90 mph. His car was impounded, the report said.
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Another man was arrested after undercover officers saw him doing burnouts in the parking lot of a grocery store on Normandy Boulevard.
Both men were charged with misdemeanors.
JSO said the crackdown led to the following:
- 5 misdemeanor arrests
- 7 felony arrests
- 2 firearms seized
- 40 grams of marijuana seized
- 1 arrest warrant served
- 33 citations issued
- 8 vehicles towed and impounded
FHP said it made 21 arrests and issued two warnings. The charges included: Racing, fleeing and eluding, racing (spectators), wearing full mask while conducting street takeover activities, reckless driving, speeding, driving while license suspended, no valid drivers license, violation of a traffic control device, not wearing seat belts and resisting without violence, and other criminal drug and civil charges.
FHP said it was also involved in four pursuits during Saturday’s crackdown and three ended in a PIT maneuver. Two vehicles were seized, three were impounded and troopers recovered one firearm.
For those who were arrested, it’s a costly deal after they are released. They have hundreds of dollars in fines to pay, thousands of dollars in impound fees and then their car insurance rates are impacted.
JSO encourages anyone who sees these types of driving patterns or who might have information on those who commit these crimes to call 904-630-0500.