At approximately 10:45 p.m., Saturday, April 22, the St. Petersburg Police Department led a major operation to shut down a street racing event.

Dozens of people had gathered in a parking lot between buildings at 11001 Roosevelt Blvd for an event involving vehicle doughnuts and other dangerous street racing activity. Investigators had information that this was the warmup, and the group had plans to move on to “take over” major intersections throughout Pinellas County. With the assistance of the Pinellas Sheriff's Office, Pinellas Park Police, and the Florida Highway Patrol, more than 50 patrol cruisers surrounded the event.

• 69 people were arrested
• 23 vehicles were impounded

Charges include:

• Felonies- fleeing and eluding, and child endangerment (Parents brought their infant daughter and three-year-old boy to the event)
• Misdemeanors - street racing, driving with a suspended license, and obstruction
• This is an ongoing investigation and additional charges could be forthcoming.

The operation was part of an ongoing effort to stop illegal street racing in our County. The participants drive at high rates of speed and display driving stunts that are dangerous for the drivers and onlookers. On January 29th, 13-year-old Ethan Martin was killed at a street racing event he attended with his father in St. Petersburg