A 20-year-old Hispanic man was arrested as suspected of being one of the largest organizers of illegal street takeovers in Southern California, authorities reported.
Erick Romero Quintana, 20 years old and resident of the city of Paramountwas taken into the custody of the authorities for allegedly calling on social networks for several of the massive concentrations of people classified as illegal, reported the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
Quintana has more than 70,000 followers on social media and, according to authorities, is responsible for coordinating events throughout Southern California that resulted in “large-scale takeovers, robberies, vehicle theft and other violent crimes, including murder,” the LAPD said.
The Los Angeles Police Department’s Street Racing Task Force served a search warrant at a residence in the city of Paramount on February 7, place where Quintana was located and taken into custody.
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Quintana was arrested on conspiracy charges and faces multiple felony charges related to organizing the illegal street takeover events.
“This arrest is significant not only for the city of Los Angeles, but also for the Southern California region,” the Los Angeles Police Department said.
Quintana’s arrest was the result of a collaboration between the Los Angeles police, California Highway Patrol and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
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“It is not clear if Quintana has an attorney who can speak on his behalf. It was reported that The 20-year-old Hispanic man was released after paying bailbut he was booked and could face multiple serious crimes as the investigation progresses.
Due to an increase in incidents involving illegal street takeovers, violent and deadly underground races, and sideshows throughout Southern California, Los Angeles city officials and authorities They focused their efforts on working to eradicate these illegal meetings..
“The number of incidents resulting from unsafe driving behaviors, including drivers exceeding 100 miles per hour on state highways, Illegal street racing and sideshow activitiesand speed-related crashes, are occurring at a staggering rate,” the California Highway Patrol said.
Keep reading: 65 people arrested in CHP operations against illegal street racing in California
A new pilot program in Los Angeles includes the deployment of more officers at known intersections where illegal roadblocks occurin addition to adding raised and reinforced center lines, raised pavement markers, rumble strips and the installation of gutters at certain points.
“Illegal street racing and secondary sideshows are not just reckless activities – they are potential tragedies in the making. These events are life-threatening.“Not only from the participants, but also from innocent bystanders,” said California Highway Patrol Commissioner Sean Duryee.
Anyone with information related to illegal street events can contact the Street Racing Task Force from the Los Angeles Police Department at 213-833-3746.
Residents can also call the LAPD directly at 1-877-527-3247.
Keep reading:
· Young man is the victim of a hit-and-run during a street takeover in Orange County
· Dozens of people violently loot a store at Arco gas station in Compton
· Pedestrian and motorcyclist die in accident, apparently related to street racing, in Orange County