2 arrested after Maryland authorities break up illegal car meets across 4 counties

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md. (7News) — Law enforcement agencies across the National Capital Region disrupted multiple large-scale illegal car rallies overnight, preventing gatherings in Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, and Howard counties.

According to Maryland State Police (MSP), 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, launched a coordinated operation at 10 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 21, which continued until 4 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 22.

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, a 17-year-old from Falls Church, Virginia, was also taken into custody.

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.