Kent police say they have arrested a 19-year-old man from Sumner accused of organizing illegal street races in Kent and nearby cities.
Kent police say they have arrested a 19-year-old man from Sumner accused of organizing illegal street races in Kent and nearby cities, a move investigators hope will deter future events.
The Kent Police Department’s Crime Reduction Unit said it spent months investigating street racing organizers and recently completed an investigation that led to the arrest.
Police described the suspect as a repeat offender and said he had been setting up races in Kent and neighboring cities. The suspect was arrested on 15 criminal counts, according to police.
“Our patrol officers respond to all street racing incidents to disband the gathering and arrest participants, but afterwards, the work of continuing the investigation goes on for weeks afterward,” Kent Patrol Commander Meyer said. “Arresting the organizers of these street racing events sends a strong message to the community that the Kent Police Department is committed to reducing the number of street racing events occurring in our city, and that we intend to hold those suspects who are organizing these events responsible.”
Meyer said the department views the events as a public safety threat and intends to keep pursuing cases. “It also serves as a warning for anyone looking to try and establish an illegal street racing event or culture in the city of Kent,” Meyer said. “The Kent Police Department recognizes the public safety threat these illegal events pose to the community at large. We will continue to respond to and investigate these incidents and charge those responsible.”
Police urged the public to share information about the arrest, saying they want it to serve as a warning to racers and organizers.
The department also emphasized the dangers of street racing, saying it has been proven to be extremely dangerous to participants, spectators, and residents.
