3 Arrests Made At Illegal MD Car Rallies

MARYLAND — Three people were arrested at two illegal car rallies held over the weekend in Montgomery and Baltimore counties.

Of the three arrested individuals, only one — Amar Abdal Hamed — was from Maryland.

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The two others — Christian Koenig and Matthew Cooray — had registered addresses in Manassas, Virginia, and Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania.

All three are 20 years old.

They are facing the following charges:

• Hamed, of Arnold, was charged with engaging in exhibition driving and reckless driving.
• Koenig, of Manassas, was charged with reckless driving and failure to obey a lawful order. State Police said Koenig was driving a black Camaro before he was arrested.
• Cooray, of Chadds Ford, was charged with possessing and operating a stolen vehicle, among other related charges.

Both Hamed and Cooray were arrested in Baltimore County's Halethorpe area, where the first rally was recorded by police on Friday night.

Maryland State Police said over 200 cars participated in the illegal car meet, which took place in the parking lot at 3750 Commerce Drive.

A total of five cars were impounded for registration violations at the scene, State Police said, adding that authorities recovered two stolen Camaros.

Although officials did not offer details, they did indicate "injured and ill individuals" were provided medical transport from the parking area.

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The second rally of the night took place in Silver Spring, Montgomery County, where Koenig was arrested.

State Police said the Silver Spring rally involved over 60 cars.

The arrests came about through the multi-agency Maryland Car Rally Task Force. The latest operation started Friday around 9 p.m. and ran through 3 a.m. Saturday.