2 Illegal Car Rallies Dismantled In Prince George's

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Three people were arrested, guns were recovered and teenagers detained after police dismantled more large-scale illegal car rallies this past weekend.

The Maryland Car Rally Task Force and partner law enforcement agencies across Prince George’s, Howard and Montgomery counties started the operation at 10 p.m. Friday night and continued through 6 a.m. Saturday morning. Patrols were conducted throughout the region, ultimately preventing crowds of up to 300 participants from engaging in exhibition driving, disorderly behavior and roadway shutdowns.

The Task Force coordinated monitoring and enforcement operations in the following areas:

• 5060 Beech Place in Temple Hills
• 1032 Hampton PK Blvd in Capitol Heights
• 1415 Magellan Road in Hanover
• 7101 Troy Hill Drive in Elkridge

During the enforcement, police arrested Steven Javier Cruze-Benetiz, 18, of Silver Spring and Payton Frazier, 19, of Pasadena.

Cruze-Benetiz has been charged with reckless endangerment, first- and second-degree assault, aggravated assault with firearm, possession of loaded firearm in vehicle and other related charges.

Frazier became disorderly during an on-scene police investigation. He was subsequently detained and charged with failure to obey a lawful command and resisting arrest. Frazier was taken to a district court commissioner in Prince George’s County for an initial appearance and later released on his own recognizance.

Two teens were detained by police, both of whom are 17 years old. One teenager from Fairfax, Virginia, was charged with possession of a loaded firearm on person, possession of loaded firearm in vehicle, possession of firearm with obliterated serial number and other related charges. The other teenager is from Laurel. He was detained by police and found to be in possession of a replica firearm. He was later released to a parent.