Cincinnati Police's Crackdown on Illegal Street Takeovers, Drag Races Nabs Nearly 40 People

Nearly 40 people were arrested and dozens of vehicles were towed over the weekend as Cincinnati police cracked down on illegal street takeovers and drag racing around the city.

Police were alerted about a group planning to participate in street sideshows as they were traveling along Interstate 75 on Saturday, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Officers encountered the group at about 10:30 p.m., and two men—including a suspect with a stolen gun—were accused of holding a stop sign and blocking traffic in the middle of an intersection near the interstate.

Drivers fled the scene when officers arrived, but police were able to catch up with the group again in another part of the city. This time, driver tried to stage a takeover in the parking lot of the Riverfront Live music venue, but they weren't successful.

Finally, participants gathered uust after midnight at a high school parking lot, where drivers raced and performed stunts. Police, along with members from other area law enforcement agencies, deployed stop sticks and began making apprehending individuals.

Officers arrested 39 people in connection with the street takeover, and 65 vehicles were towed. Suspects were charged with misdemeanor street racing.