Central Maryland Law Enforcement Disrupts Large Car Rallies, Leading to Multiple Arrests and Gun Seizures

Per a press release from the Maryland State Police, a coordinated effort by the Maryland Car Rally Task Force and its partner agencies successfully prevented or dismantled several large-scale illegal car rallies over the weekend. These operations, which took place across Prince George’s, Howard, and Montgomery counties, resulted in three arrests, the recovery of firearms, and the detention of juveniles. The task force’s high-visibility patrols aimed to curb exhibition driving, disorderly conduct, and the obstruction of roadways, which can attract crowds of up to 300 participants.

The enforcement initiative began Friday night at 10 p.m. and continued until Saturday morning at 6 a.m. The operation targeted several specific locations known for such gatherings, including addresses in Temple Hills, Capitol Heights, Hanover, and Elkridge. During the course of the weekend’s activities, law enforcement officers made two adult arrests. Steven Javier Cruze-Benetiz, an 18-year-old from Silver Spring, faces charges including reckless endangerment, first- and second-degree assault, aggravated assault with a firearm, and possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle, among other related offenses. The second adult arrested, 19-year-old Payton Frazier of Pasadena, was detained for becoming disorderly during an investigation and subsequently charged with failure to obey a lawful command and resisting arrest. Frazier was brought before a district court commissioner in Prince George’s County and later released on his own recognizance.

In addition to the adult arrests, two 17-year-old juveniles were detained by police. One of these individuals, from Fairfax, Virginia, was charged with possession of a loaded firearm on their person, possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle, and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, along with other charges. The other juvenile, a resident of Laurel, was found to be in possession of a replica firearm and was later released to their parent. The Maryland Car Rally Task Force is a collaborative effort involving the Maryland State Police, police departments from Prince George’s, Montgomery, Howard, and Baltimore counties, the Baltimore City Police Department, the Maryland Natural Resources Police, and the Maryland Transportation Authority Police. This joint operation underscores the continued importance of multi-agency cooperation in addressing the persistent issue of illegal exhibition driving in the region.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from Maryland State Police

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