Nashville Police charge street racers & spectators with rioting in weekend arrests

Metro Nashville Police are trying out a new tool to deter street racers in Nashville… they’re charging organizers, participants, and spectators with rioting. It’s a bold move that likely won’t withstand a long-term challenge, and many street racers say they’re not worried, as they can only stop about 1/200 participants with limited air/ground resources…

Street Racer Jose Sandoval stopped to steal some cars on the way to his car meet in Nashville

After substantial police activity over the past couple of weeks, the two primary car groups currently holding meets and takeovers decided to lay low Friday night and not host any meets. Both Night Riders & Valhalla clubs were adamant in the group chats used by racers and spectators that ‘Jose’ was the only person hosting a meet Friday night, and he was doing that independently. But before he came to the meet that night, 20-year-old Jose Sandoval had an important stop to make, and some members of the telegram chat already knew about the stolen cars and how they were taken.

Police say they responded to a burglary-in-progress call on Charlotte Pike and, upon arrival, heard someone attempting to break into the business. One of the suspects became aware of the presence of police and fled out the back fence and into a black Dodge Challenger. The vehicle fled at a high rate of speed and successfully evaded officers. A short time later, the vehicle returned to the area, and police successfully deployed spike strips. Sandoval turned down a dead-end street and then swerved toward police vehicles in an attempt to escape. He eventually stopped the vehicle, which was stolen, on Briley Parkway and gave himself up.

During an extensive interview, Sandoval admitted to “being a lookout” for another suspect who he says was breaking into the business. A search of Sandoval’s vehicle, which was also stolen, yielded several high-end car keys/fobs, a programmer for car key fobs (used for stealing them), and a located pistol. [images in full story]

Street Car enthusiast Ilir Krasniqi charged with reckless driving on Murfreesboro Pike

While working the Street Racing Initiative on April 1, Metro Nashville Police observed 19-year-old Ilir Krasniqi on Murfreesboro Pike traveling at 83 mph in a 45 mph zone — still a long way from the car’s top speed of 143 mph. There was late rush-hour traffic, and Krasniqi was driving his 2017 Lexus IS 300 recklessly and without regard for other motorists. He was booked this week on a citation charging him with reckless driving.

Nashville Police pose with street racers for a photo op as the community sees no relief from street takeovers

Metro Nashville Police stopped for a photo opportunity during a street takeover this past weekend, leaving neighbors asking who is actually in charge. Our story paints a clear picture of the answer, with video…

Street Racing Enthusiast Obed Morales Mejia charged with driving without a license.

18-year-old Obed Morales Mejia was observed by officers working the Street Racer Initiative this weekend as he swerved out of his lane of travel and nearly collided with another vehicle. A traffic stop revealed that Morales-Mejia did not have a valid license to drive. Police say he has a long history of pending charges for driving without a license, with the most recent in August. He was taken into custody and transported to booking.

Street Racer Mackqies Raymond flees police, does donuts under airport runway bridge

Mackqies Raymond FEAT

Police say 21-year-old Mackqies Raymond was spotted at several side shows and car meets doing burnouts and donuts and repeatedly fled from officers in his orange Dodge Charger throughout the night. Police even spotted him doing donuts under the airport runway bridge on Murfreesboro Pike. Although ground units could never catch him, his vehicle was ultimately tracked to Omohundro Place, where he was taken into custody.

Street Racers Patrick Jones & Marricus Duncan charged & freed on pre-trial release after fleeing police

Police say 27-yea-old Patrick Leon Jones was traveling south on Franklin Pike at 81 mph in a 45 mph zone Friday night. As the officer activated his lights and sirens, Jones increased the speed of his Dodge Charger, with the officer catching up with him near Harding Place, but as the lights and sirens were activated a second time, Jones fled, and the patrol car didn’t give chase. 23-year-old Marricus Duncan was a passenger in the vehicle. AirOne followed the car through downtown Nashville and eventually to an apartment complex on Tampa Drive, where officers eventually took both men into custody. Jones bragged in booking that he could see the cops behind him, and they never caught up in their cars.

Street Racer Derrick Vassar free on pre-trial release after police chase [VIDEO]

Despite an initial $10,500 bond, 23-year-old Derrick Vassar is free on pre-trial release after fleeing from police working the street racing initiative Friday night. AirOne was surveilling the area near Firestone Parkway and Old Hickory Blvd when Vassar, driving a matte black Chevrolet Corvette, was seen doing donuts in the parking lot of a Thornton’s convenience store [video below], where there was a “sea of vehicles,” according to police, who say Vassar had already fled a traffic stop. As he exited the parking lot, he traversed to I-24 with multiple police vehicles in pursuit with full lights and sirens. AirOne noted that Vasser bailed out of the vehicle on Crossing Place and fled on foot until he was apprehended nearby. Police say he tensed up and pulled away while being arrested, and the tag on the Corvette belonged to a Ford vehicle.

Street Racer Bavly Fawzi clocked at 111 mph on Murfreesboro Pike

18-year-old TSU Student Bavly Fawzi is charged with drag racing after he was clocked at 111 mph by an officer working the Street Racing Initiative on Murfreesboro Pike. He was quickly catching up to the vehicle 400 feet ahead of him, which was clocked at 97 mph.

Joseph Crutchfield charged with drag racing & marijuana in Nashville’s street racing initiative crackdown

Metro Nashville Police Officers working the “Street Racing Initiative” say they observed 24-year-old Joseph Crutchfield III racing another vehicle and passing cars on Murfreesboro Pike near Morton Lane. He was traveling at high rates of speed. Police caught up with him on the 3700 block of Nolensville Pike and conducted a traffic stop to take him into custody. During an inventory search of his vehicle, a small amount of marijuana and paraphernalia was located, for which he was also charged.