2 PA Men Who Fled Illegal Car Rally Arrested After Eluding Police, Crashing: PGPD

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Two Pennsylvania men have been charged after police say they participated in an illegal car rally, swapped license plates with another car, then attempted to outrun police and hit multiple cars.

Prince George's Police teamed up with other law enforcement agencies to crack down on illegal car rallies in several counties from 10 p.m. Feb. 21 through the early morning hours of Feb. 22. Several car rallies were broken up and prevented, authorities said.

At a car rally in Prince George's County, a person in a vehicle seen participating in a car rally swapped license plates with another vehicle. Officers found the vehicle on Allentown Road but as they approached the vehicle, the driver took off and hit several vehicles. The driver, later identified as 23-year-old Blake Miller of East Berlin, Pennsylvania, then hopped out and took off on foot. He was apprehended by officers, according to Prince George's Police.

A passenger in the vehicle, 22-year-old Gus Roth of Hanover, Pennsylvania, also tried to run off, but was caught by police. Officers found a weapon and ammunition inside the vehicle, police said.

Miller faces multiple traffic-related offenses. Roth has been charged in connection to the firearm. The car was impounded, the police department reported.

“These arrests reinforce our consistent message that illegal car rallies are extremely dangerous and will not be tolerated. Additionally, Maryland State Police made two separate arrests involving a firearm during this operation. Together, the PGPD and our partner agencies will continue to enforce laws against illegal car rallies. My message is loud and clear: do not come into Prince George’s County or any of our neighboring jurisdictions and engage in this dangerous and illegal behavior. These car rallies cause havoc in our streets and take police resources out of our community. I encourage county residents and our media partners to follow these cases through the entire judicial process,” said PGPD Chief George Nader.

In addition to the arrests of Miller and Roth, PGPD conducted a total of eight traffic stops, impounded two vehicles and issued 15 citations.

Prince George's County Crime Solvers is offering a reward of up to $500 for information that helps prevent an illegal car rally before it happens. Anyone with information can contact Crime Solvers online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com, the “P3 Tips” mobile app (search “P3 Tips” in the Apple Store or Google Play to download the app onto a mobile device), or call 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).