Maryland
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.
The state said the five recently traveled together to “a location in the U.S. experiencing an active measles outbreak.”
Maryland health officials confirmed five more measles cases, all in Carroll County.
“These individuals recently traveled together to a location in the U.S. experiencing an active measles outbreak,” the state Department of Health said in a release.
The agency said others may have been exposed on the afternoon of July 13 in the emergency department waiting room at Carroll Hospital Center in Westminster.
Another measles case recently prompted warnings from health officials in Maryland, Virginia and the District. On June 17, a Maryland resident traveled through Dulles International Airport and visited a D.C. urgent care clinic.
Measles is highly contagious. It can spread through the air through coughs, breathing, and sneezes. Early symptoms can include fevers of over 101 degrees, coughs, runny noses, watery eyes and face or body rashes.
It can take up to 21 days after exposure for the first symptoms to appear, and those who are not fully vaccinated or otherwise immune to measles are especially vulnerable.
The five new measles cases in Maryland bring the state’s year-to-date total to nine. The state health department confirmed three cases in 2025, and one in each of the previous two years.
“All Marylanders should review potential exposure times, watch for symptoms, and confirm they are up to date on their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccinations,” the health department said.
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Baltimore may be under an extreme heat alert, but residents can dream about autumn, as tickets are now on sale for the Maryland Fall Home & Garden + Craft Show returning to the Maryland State Fairgrounds in October.
This three-day celebration of home and garden takes place from Friday, Oct. 16 through Sunday, Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Expect hundreds of exhibitors, local makers, home improvement experts, family-friendly experiences and celebrity guests. The show offers everyone the chance to explore the very latest in home improvement, landscaping, outdoor living and decor, the chance to take part in hands-on experiences, and do some holiday shopping all under one roof.
This year’s show will have more than 300 exhibitors, including more than 100 crafters from around Maryland in the Makers Market. There will be unique exhibits, stage presentations and a special appearance by Chase Morrill, Ashley Morrill-Eldridge and Ryan Eldridge from Magnolia Network’s hit series “Maine Cabin Masters.” The three will have two Main Stage appearances, one on Friday, Oct. 16 at 4 p.m. and the second on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 12 p.m.
“As temperatures start to drop and the holiday season comes into view, the Maryland Fall Home & Garden + Craft Show is a place to gather ideas, meet local experts and get inspired before the busy season begins,” said Dave Paul, show manager, in a statement. “Whether attendees are planning a home project, looking for outdoor living ideas or getting a head start on holiday shopping, the show brings together resources and experiences for every kind of homeowner, maker and DIY enthusiast.”
In addition to the Makers Market and stars of “Maine Cabin Masters”, the Maryland Fall Home & Garden + Craft Show will have a petting zoo, a Kids Market where attendees can shop from local children, and much more.
Tickets are available online and at the door. Prices are as follows:
Online:
- Adults: $8
- Senior Citizens (60+): $6
- Children (ages 6-12): $4
- 4-Pack Online: $30 for four tickets, valid for one admission each and one day only
At the door:
- Adults: $10
- Senior Citizens (60+): $8
- Children (ages 6-12): $4
- Friday & Saturday: $4 after 4 p.m. at the door only
Special Offers:
- Active and retired military personnel, veterans, firefighters and police officers receive free admission all weekend, along with one guest, with valid ID at the box office.
- Attendees who show a CharmPass app, Light RailLink ticket or eligible transit pass at the box office receive free admission any day of the show. One admission is available per pass.
The Maryland State Fairgrounds is located at 2200 York Road in Lutherville-Timonium.
Related
Maryland
Maryland police arrest alleged bank robber wielding stolen cat: ‘Tried to use her as an accessory’
Law enforcement agencies are accustomed to dealing with cat burglars – but now a Maryland police department is saying it grappled with a cat-wielding bank robber.
The Prince George’s county police department said its officers arrested a man suspected of stealing a cat and then taking the animal with him to a PNC bank branch in the local community of Beltsville to rob the establishment on Monday morning.
“The cat was returned” after the suspect was arrested, the police department said in a statement to the Guardian on Tuesday. The agency said no injuries were reported, and it declined to name the suspect or release additional details, saying the case – bound for a spot in the annals of bizarre reported US crimes – remained under investigation.
Nonetheless, a social media post from rescue shelter Beltsville Community Cats provided more information.
A Beltsville Community Cats Facebook page post on Monday identified the cat at the center of the alleged botched caper as Magnolia, a three-and-a-half-month-old tuxedo kitten. The shelter recounted how the suspect first snatched Magnolia from her “adoption habitat” at Beltsville’s Pet Supplies Plus store, took her across the parking lot to a PNC branch, and “tried to use her as an accessory in [an] attempted robbery”.
“He asked the bank manager to hold the kitten while he wrote a note, then handed the note to a teller demanding all the cash,” the post continued. “Thankfully, the robbery was unsuccessful, the suspect was arrested, and Magnolia was found safe and sound in the bank manager’s office, where the two had bonded over their shared ordeal.”
Pet Supplies Plus store employees told the NBC affiliate in nearby Washington DC that Magnolia’s cat napper had come in daily for about two weeks and focused on the kitten each time.
Finally, on Monday, he managed to use a key to open a cat adoption area and whisked Magnolia away, store employees said to the outlet, WRC.
Store manager Aaron Kurkowski told WRC that Magnolia’s thief “came in and saw none of my team was nearby the front – and he just went right to her and ran right on out”.
According to WRC, Stephanie Stullich of Beltsville Community Cats then received a call from a pet store employee who alerted her to Magnolia’s plight.
That prompted Stullich to run over to the store, where she said to WRC that she “immediately saw all of these police cars and … thought, ‘Wow, that’s a heck of a response for a stolen cat’.”
“But then I realized they all were going down to the bank,” Stullich recalled to WRC. “They came back out a few minutes later and said, ‘Yes, there is a cat inside the bank.’”
Two days before her catnapping, Magnolia was the subject of a Beltsville Community Cats Facebook post inviting people to see her at Pet Supplies Plus and consider adopting her.
Magnolia as of Monday was still waiting to be adopted, Beltsville Community Cats said in its post detailing the bank robbery.
The non-profit organization offered members of the public the opportunity to apply to adopt Magnolia by emailing rescue@beltsvillecats.net.
Beltsville Community Cats’ post also joked that Magnolia’s “brief ‘life of crime’ is behind her” – except for undoubtedly “stealing” hearts, treats, toys and cuddles wherever her forever home may be.
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