Law enforcement agencies across Maryland conducted a coordinated overnight operation to prevent and dismantle multiple illegal car rallies in Prince George’s, Howard, and Montgomery counties.
The enforcement effort, led by the Maryland Car Rally Task Force, ran from Friday night into early Saturday morning and included high-visibility patrols at several locations where crowds of up to 300 participants had been expected to engage in exhibition driving, disorderly behavior, and roadway shutdowns.
During the operation, police arrested 18-year-old Steven Javier Cruze-Benetiz of Silver Spring and 19-year-old Payton Frazier of Pasadena, and detained two juveniles, while also recovering firearms. Cruze-Benetiz faces multiple charges including assault and firearm-related offenses, while Frazier was charged with failure to obey a lawful command and resisting arrest. One juvenile faces firearm charges, including possession of a weapon with an obliterated serial number, while the other was found with a replica firearm and released to a parent. Officials say the multi-agency task force continues to address illegal car rally activity across the region.
