Multiple arrested after police break up illegal car rally in Maryland

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md. (WJLA) — Two Pennsylvania men are facing charges after police said they participated in an illegal car rally in Prince George’s County, tied to a wave of street takeovers across Maryland.

Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD) said they are charging 23-year-old Blake Miller of East Berlin, Pennsylvania, and 22-year-old Gus Roth of Hanover, Pennsylvania, following a joint operation with Maryland State Police (MSP) and regional partners.

From 10 p.m. on Feb. 21 through the early morning hours on Feb. 22, PGPD officers responded to multiple illegal gatherings in Prince George’s County and neighboring jurisdictions, including Montgomery County.

Police said an occupant inside a participating vehicle was seen swapping license plates in an attempt to avoid detection. Officers later found the car on Allentown Road.

As officers approached, officials said Miller attempted to flee, striking multiple vehicles before trying to run. He was quickly apprehended.

The passenger in the car, Roth, also attempted to flee but was taken into custody.

Officers recovered a weapon and ammunition inside the vehicle.

Police said Miller faces multiple traffic-related charges, while Roth is charged in connection with the firearm. The vehicle was impounded.

“These arrests reinforce our consistent message that illegal car rallies are extremely dangerous and will not be tolerated. Additionally, Maryland State Police made two separate arrests involving a firearm during this operation. Together, the PGPD and our partner agencies will continue to enforce laws against illegal car rallies. My message is loud and clear: do not come into Prince George’s County or any of our neighboring jurisdictions and engage in this dangerous and illegal behavior. These car rallies cause havoc in our streets and take police resources out of our community. I encourage county residents and our media partners to follow these cases through the entire judicial process,” said PGPD Chief George Nader.

The arrests come days after 7News obtained dash camera video showing a separate street takeover that moved from Prince George’s County into Silver Spring, where two marked police cruisers were damaged. No officers were injured in either incident, Maryland authorities said.

Police said eight traffic stops were conducted during the enforcement effort, two vehicles were impounded, and 15 citations were issued. MSP also made two additional firearm-related arrests during its operation.

Two marked Montgomery County police cruisers were vandalized and damaged during a street takeover that moved into Silver Spring early Sunday, and investigators are asking the public to help identify those responsible.

The Montgomery County Department of Police 2nd District Investigative Section said officers were notified shortly before midnight Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, of a large group of vehicles linked to street takeover activity that began in Prince George’s County and moved toward the Silver Spring District central business district.

Around midnight, Montgomery County patrol units, K9, and the Aviation Section officers monitored the group and were able to close most of the intersections the vehicles were heading toward in Silver Spring. Police said the vehicles continued along East-West Highway and gathered at the intersection of East-West Highway and Connecticut Avenue, where drivers blocked traffic and performed donuts in the roadway.

Police said several people got out of their cars and stood in the intersection, preventing officers from entering while the activity continued.

“They’re trying to take over the intersection now. We’ve got a bunch of civilians walking in the lane,” officers were heard over radio chatter.

During the incident, two marked Montgomery County police cruisers were damaged. Police said in one case, an officer was inside his vehicle when the rear window was broken, and the windshield was smashed. No officers were injured.

“There needs to be something better to do with your time,” John Seng, the founder of the nonprofit Safe Roads Maryland, told 7News. “It’s very sad that it comes down to destroying, making a spectacle of yourself, creating loud noise, causing disruption in Metropolitan centers.”

Seng reminds these people, whoever they are, that it’s not only illegal to participate in car rallies, but watch them too.

“Don’t think if you’re just a spectator at these events that you may walk away free or without harm, injury, or suffer the consequences of law enforcement,” Seng said. “We’re talking about up to a potential year in jail, $1,000 fine, eight points on your license, and a mandatory court appearance.”

The arrests stemmed after law enforcement agencies across the National Capital Region broke up multiple, massive illegal car rallies this weekend across Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, Montgomery and Howard counties.

A coordinated operation was conducted at 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21 through 4 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, according to Maryland State Police (MSP).

It was done by the Maryland Car Rally Task Force, which consisted of MSP and local departments from Prince George’s, Montgomery, Howard, and Baltimore counties, Baltimore City and the Maryland Transportation Authority Police.

Officials said high-visibility patrols and early intervention efforts stopped crowds numbering about 300 in some places from staging street takeovers involving exhibition driving, disorderly conduct and roadway shutdowns.

MSP said enforcement operations occurred at several locations, including Bowie, Camp Springs, Silver Spring, Upper Marlboro, Chevy Chase, Forestville and Hanover.

In Camp Springs, troopers arrested the driver and passenger of a black Dodge Charger. Police identified the driver as Jossel Joan Maldonado Sanabria, 19, of Fayetteville, North Carolina.

His passenger was a 17-year-old from Falls Church, Virginia.

Both face an individual charge of possession of a loaded firearm and were taken to the Prince George’s County Detention Center, according to MSP.

Just after midnight in Montgomery County, officers found a group of vehicles connected to street takeover activity that initially started in Prince George’s County.

Police monitored the group and then took steps to limit access to several intersections. The group later gathered at the intersection of East West Highway and Connecticut Avenue, doing donuts in the street and blocking traffic.

During the incident, two marked police cruisers were damaged, but no officers injured, the Montgomery County Police Department said.

Additional law enforcement agencies responded, causing the crowd to disperse. The vehicles also left the county.