Over 100 arrests made during illegal street racing crackdown

Sunday, March 21, 2021

Over 100 arrests made during illegal street racing crackdown

One image shared by the Harris County Sheriff's Office pointed to visitors from out-of-state who were among those arrested.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Over 100 arrests were made over the weekend during law enforcement efforts to combat illegal street racing, authorities said.

The detainments came as deputies with a multi-agency taskforce focused on the practice, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office.

The HCSO Traffic Crimes Unit stayed busy with a wide variety of crimes, but the rash of illegal street racing incidents have kept them especially occupied.

In a video released Friday, deputies are seen gearing up to combat the practice, which has been on the increase as a legal racing event got underway this weekend on a closed track.

WATCH THE FULL VIDEO BELOW:

The Harris County Sheriff's Office released video Friday of the HCSO Crime Reduction Unit in action as they worked to combat illegal street racing.

"Too many pics to show," Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez wrote in a Facebook post about the arrests made.

Earlier in the week, 43 arrests were made and one car fled from deputies, according to the sheriff's office. Several cars were also towed, and guns were taken off the streets.

The initiative came ahead of the annual TX2K Roll and Drag Race Nationals event this weekend at Houston Raceway Park in Baytown.

"TX2K21" is a legal event on a closed course and isn't related to the racing incidents from overnight.

Authorities have sent out several warning to the public, which came weeks after a fly-by resulted in the deaths of spectators along U.S. 290.