Jamal Mayo, 19, of Silver Spring, is one of those charged after the Maryland Car Rally Task Force cracked down on illegal rallying. Mayo was charged with disturbing the peace, rioting and illegal possession of fireworks.

According to the Maryland State Police: “Additional individuals have been identified and charged after the Maryland Department of State Police and its partner agencies addressed ongoing concerns regarding illegal large-scale driving show events throughout Maryland.

On Saturday, August 25, 2024, members of the Maryland Car Rally Task Force worked with the Maryland State Police Special Operations Division, the Baltimore Regional Auto Theft Task Force (RATT), and local law enforcement in the area of ​​North Avenue and Eutaw Place in Baltimore. Participants in the illegal display event attempted to take over the intersection.

While police attempted to disperse the crowd, investigators observed a man running toward a Volkswagen Golf with Pennsylvania license plates, apparently carrying a firearm. He climbed into the back seat of the vehicle. The vehicle was then stopped and the man, later identified as Zapata, was arrested on the scene without incident.

• Jose Manuel Zapata, 26, of Pennsylvania – Charges of carrying a loaded handgun, carrying a handgun, carrying a handgun in a vehicle, carrying a loaded handgun in a vehicle. Zapata was transported to Baltimore City District Court and held on $10,000 bail

In addition to the above arrest, the Maryland Car Rally Task Force, in conjunction with its law enforcement partners, has filed charges against the following individuals, either through a criminal summons or warrant, as part of its efforts in Prince George’s County and Baltimore County:

• Dylan Reyes, 23, of Laurel – Disorderly conduct, riot
• Jamal Mayo, 19, of Silver Spring – Disturbance of the peace, riot, setting off fireworks without permission, fireworks without permission, riot
• Irvin Leonidas Campos Solanos, 25 from Baltimore – Vehicle theft (current arrest warrant from Delaware)
• Jordan Kenyatta Okubo, 20, of Temple Hills – Operating a vehicle on the motorway with unapproved window tinting material, failure of the driver to produce proof of required safety when requested by a police officer, modification of the exhaust of a motor vehicle. Causes excessive noise emissions, failure of the driver to pull over to the curb when signalled by a police vehicle, use of lamps on the motor vehicle. Modification of the original design, failure of the owner to maintain required safety for the vehicle during the period of registration, knowingly driving an uninsured vehicle.

Since June 2024, the Maryland Car Rally Task Force has focused on investigating and addressing show driving events known as “takeovers,” illegal activities that involve blocking public roads for dangerous stunts, disrupting traffic, causing property damage, and endangering the public.

Increased patrols have been implemented in identified hotspot areas and comprehensive investigations have been conducted to identify and charge those involved. This proactive approach includes increased traffic monitoring and the initiation of criminal investigations against perpetrators.

The Maryland Car Rally Task Force includes the Maryland Department of State Police, Maryland Transportation Authority Police, Baltimore City Police, and police departments in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s counties. The combined efforts remain critical to effectively combating illegal car rallying in the designated regions.

Through strategic collaboration of our concentrated enforcement and investigative efforts, particularly in the areas where these incidents occur most frequently, the Task Force aims to mitigate the public safety impacts of these dangerous events, thereby creating a safer environment for all Maryland residents.