Batmobile among 100 stopped in Portland street racing mission

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The third night of street racing takeovers began early Sunday evening as police said they thwarted attempts in two different Southeast Portland locations and arrested one teen.

Over the course of Friday and Saturday nights, the police street racing mission resulted in 97 traffic stops, at least 18 arrests and at least 14 cars towed, according to PPB. Those stats don’t include the 17-year-old arrested Sunday for recklessly driving a 1998 Ford Mustang — and driving on a suspended license without insurance and without a license plate.

Authorities said takeovers were tried around NE 102nd and Glisan, then in Troutdale and Clackamas County — but none were successful.

On Saturday night, 11 participants were arrested after trying to flee in their vehicles, a suspect launched a firework at officers and the driver of a black Chevy “Batmobile” was cited.

Motorcyclist arrested after fleeing from police in PPB street takeover mission

PPB and partner agencies will continue to run this mission through Sunday night. This past Thursday, law enforcement held a press conference to alert the public about the planned street racing takeovers and their plans to intercept the drivers, many of whom were coming from out of state.

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Saturday night, police said they made a variety of stops and arrests beginning around 7 p.m. Among them:

• Officers stopped a red Dodge Charger near Southeast Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard and Washington Street, discovering the driver had multiple arrest warrants. The driver, identified as 27-year-old Saveel Sheikh, had multiple arrest warrants and fled from the traffic stop. He was later caught and arrested, and will face charges of attempting to elude police, reckless driving, recklessly endangering another person, and multiple arrest warrants for DUII.

• The Batmobile was stopped around 2700 North Marine Drive. The driver was cited for a traffic violation.

• After midnight, drivers tried to take over the intersection at SE 10th and Ash Street. The driver of a Crown Victoria seen skidding in circles tried to hide the car in a parking lot, but officer spotted 19-year-old Lopaka Smith and arrested him on 100 charges, including unlawful possession of a gun.

• Two more intersections were the scene of attempted takeovers, NE 82nd and Fremont, and NE Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Columbia Boulevard. That’s the spot were a teen allegedly launched the mortar at officers, but was arrested after he tried to run.

On Monday morning, police said that the night’s events were quieter however they still issued 23 citations, towed 7 vehicles and made 4 arrests.

Reaction

PPB Sgt. Kevin Allen said, “We do not want people to engage in this dangerous activity if you insist on doing it there’s a really good chance you can not only face legal consequences, if certain circumstances apply we can take their cars for good. They’re not going to get it back.”

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Synaca Hall, who lives nearby, told KOIN 6 News it woke her up and kept her awake all morning.

“We looked, stepped out on the porch and I see a lot of action,” she recalled. “A lot of people walking, a lot of crowds. We heard a lot of screeching, a lot of police sirens.”

Hall added these types of street racing incidents are nothing new in her neighborhood.

“The amount of years we’ve been here, we adapted to it. We adjusted to it,” she said. “Some change needs to happen for sure, because it’s a nuisance. I didn’t get to bed probably until maybe four this morning.”

Garrett Hill, who lives in the area around Powell Boulevard, said, “There’s been a lot of crashes out here and people will race up and down Powell day and night.”

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