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State police sting targets street-race ring

Sunday, November 23, 2008
(Updated Monday, November 24 - 5:43 am)
By By Sonja Elmquist
Staff Writer

HIGH POINT - A white Nissan 350Z - lowered so the fenders barely cleared the nearly treadless tires - wheeled into a holding lot for confiscated vehicles at 10:55 p.m. Saturday. Ten minutes later, a silver Pontiac GTO rolled in, and a white Honda Civic after that.

Highway Patrol troopers planned to fill the lot with street racers Saturday night in what they hoped would be the largest illegal racing bust in state history. Officials had warrants to arrest 32 people and seize their vehicles.

The troopers targeted illegal races on North Main Street in High Point, and on U.S. 311 in Guilford and Forsyth counties. The operation was expected to continue into the early morning hours today.

Lt. J.K. Stone said, "This is the largest one I've seen in North Carolina." Stone has been involved with more than 100 undercover sting operations.

"Rebel Without a Cause" drag racing has given way to "The Fast and the Furious" racing. Drivers can reach speeds of 140 miles per hour in regular cars - Hondas, Nissans, Ford Mustangs and Chevrolet Camaros with slick tires, modified cooling systems and thrill-seeking drivers behind the wheel.

The suspects ranged in age from teenagers to adults in their 40s.

Spontaneous racing and pre-arranged racing are both misdemeanors that can be punished by revoked driving privileges, fines and jail time.

But pre-arranged racing carries the harsher penalty of vehicle seizure.

Proving that races are pre-arranged takes more work by law enforcement, including the use of undercover officers, secret informants and hidden cameras. But officials with the Highway Patrol say it's worth the effort because the instant seizure of the offending vehicle can save lives.

"You're taking something that means a lot to them," said Sgt. Rodney Robles, one of the coordinators of Saturday's arrests.

Those cars can have tens of thousands of dollars in modifications, he said.

"Plus, you're taking their dangerous weapon away," Robles said.

Now, racers have a sophisticated procedure for eluding the notice of police, and if that fails, avoiding the more serious charges connected with pre-arranged racing.

Often, illegal street races are minutely choreographed operations involving a pair of "lookout" drivers ahead of and behind the racers, using radar detectors up front to check for police and maintaining a rolling roadblock behind to keep other vehicles from interfering. A pair of drivers start the race already driving alongside one another at low speed - 20 to 30 mph - then use a subtle, agreed-upon signal - flashed lights, a hand gesture, or a tap on the horn - to mark the beginning of the race.

Originally planned as a six-week undercover operation, the sting collected enough information to charge 32 people on at least 130 racing-related offenses in half that time. Robles then decided to halt the operation and make the arrests three weeks early.

"It's so bad here, we want to shut it down while we can," Robles said. "We're in the business of trying to save lives, not get stats."

Robles hopes the wave of arrests will discourage other racers, keeping the street safer through Christmas and New Year's Day.

The operation marks the beginning of a new emphasis on stopping illegal street racers, Robles said.

"This is not the end," Robles said. "This is the beginning."

 

Contact Sonja Elmquist at 373-7090 or sonja.elmquist @news-record.com

 

Accompanying Photos

Joseph Rodriguez (News & Record)

Photo Caption: Deputies examine a car confiscated during a crackdown on street racing in High Point.

Comments

This article has been closed to new comments. Comments are generally closed after 14 days. However, comments may be closed earlier at the discretion of the News & Record.

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kurgun

November 23, 2008 - 9:52 am EST

Really amazes me that people could be so dumb as to street race. So let's see, they pour thousands of dollars into modifying these cars and then try racing on the streets. So apparently they can spend thousands on these cars but then not take them to the race track where they can then legally race? Not too smart, that's why they have race tracks folks, you have to pay to race on them but if you can sink thousands into your car a nominal usage fee for racing on a track is not a huge deal. Think about this next time you think racing on city streets might be fun.

Say all the streets you decide to race on has your family members at every corner and they are all just trying to live peacefully, would you take the chance of running over your own family for YOUR entertainment? No? Then why do it to someone elses family? People have no clue these days for personal respect of other peoples lives, very sad.

Butterfly23

November 24, 2008 - 12:09 pm EST

First of all the 350Z is stock basically a regular car. and the cop who tried to race him was going faster than him he didnt even break 85mph didnt even race her just kicked it a little bit and got off the highway doesnt make sense... the 350 basically not worth but 20 some thousand you dont know what your talking about either...and neither does the news.

savvy

November 23, 2008 - 5:24 pm EST

Once upon a time----- there was a time when you knew where your kids would be !!!! If uptight people would only allow cruising EVERYWHERE. AFTER ALL WE DO PAY TAXES ON ALL ROADS.. these kids would have something to do and get to show off their cars. Kids are bored and they need to have something fun to do, YES THAT MEANS HANGING OUT !!! Uptight old men who run drag strips is not the answer they only piss kids off by being smart..... so quit trying to criticize----- instead try to find a solution, because this is what appeals to them not you... from a MOM... OF THREE GIRLS.

myllil3.8

November 23, 2008 - 9:19 pm EST

Mam, I believe you have misundstood this story! These kids were not cruising, but racing down our highways at speeds over 100 mph.. Roads that we travel and our children travel. I have no problem with cruising. And also, Drag strips are not for old uptight men. That is a place were you can race legally and have a good time in a good way. I see plenty of young kids at the local strips and they all know the consequences of racing on the roads.
Apparently these kids who got busted hide behind moma and daddy's cash.. The thrill of a drag strip is how quick and fast you can get in the 8th of a mile..

stupified

November 24, 2008 - 12:16 am EST

If the thrill of a drag strip is how fast you can get down the 1/8th mile, then why do they run two cars side by side? I see a flaw in your argument. Yes, these are the same roads that your children travel on, but not at the same time. I would like to know if your children are on these roads at such late times and why? And I'm sorry, but most of these kids are not hiding 'behind moma and daddy's cash," LOL. That's such an ignorant comment. You don't know these people. Come out on main street and talk to them before you make conclusions!

myllil3.8

November 24, 2008 - 11:01 am EST

1st, you do not have to run side by side at the drag strip, you can run by yourself to get your own times! 2nd,My children are out on early morning hours, coming home from work! The ones on here supporting racing on the highways need to get a clue and grow up!! Great Job NCSHP!!!

stupified

November 24, 2008 - 9:36 pm EST

They haven't done a great job yet, nothing has been proved or evidence presented. I find it ironic how the story after the street racing on one news channel was a death by DUI! Why don't they do something about that? Your children are more likely to die by being hit by a DUI driver! NO HAS DIED FROM THE 311 BYPASS RACES! Currently they are more likely to die from cancer or from the first floor window. look at the statistics. The racers in HP aren't as dumb as they are being made out to be. The result of the trials will be the only proof I guess!

kenc

November 25, 2008 - 11:21 am EST

Young man there is no need to come out and talk to anyone to understand that you guys are living off of your parents. Quick math what job do you have that puts a roof over your head, keeps the lights on, pays for your internet service,your live subscription, your cell bill with the text package, food, your cloths, you car insurance, car payment, and leaves you with enough to spend another 5, 10, 20 thousand on a car. There are many adults that go to work every day and don't make that kind of money and I am sure that some 18yld kid doesn't either. Second I don't beleive that any of you racers understand what happens when things go wrong, Nascar spends millions on safety and they are driving in a closed environment, they have countless engineers working untold hours on their cars year round and guess what they still have a tire blow, or a shock fail, run over something on the track. After any of those things happen the driver is just along for the ride. So when that happens on a public road and a family is driving home or a person is getting off of work and just wants to get a bite to eat and gets tangeled up in your accident what will you say to him or them, they should not be driving on the road at that time of night because you want to break the law. How would any of you feel if somone knocked on your door and said I am sorry to tell you that your mother was killed when a street racer lost control and ran into her.

StangGirl

November 23, 2008 - 8:35 pm EST

Street racing is dumb, take it to the drag strips!!! That's what they are there for.

Butterfly23

November 23, 2008 - 11:55 pm EST

REAL DRAG CARS SHOULDNT BE STREET LEGAL..... THATS WHAT STREET RACING IS FOR IF YOUR LOOKING FOR THE PURPOSE OF IT..... EVEN THOUGH THERE ALOT AT THE DRAG STRIP NOW THAT ARE STREET LEGAL, THE REAL DRAG CARS SHOULDNT BE.

Butterfly23

November 23, 2008 - 11:30 pm EST

i know all the drivers of the cars listed and personally they know what they are doing and their not going to put anyone else in danger. one of my boyfriends was one of the best street racers, great driver and knew what he was doing. i think the police should focus more on others who are a danger to drivers.... such as drunk drivers things like that. he was killed by one on his way to main street a year and a half ago... killed by a drunk driver running from the police that had lost him over 85 on alamance ch rd. personally i dont see how a cop can lose anyone going straight down alamance ch rd. and honestly the wreck wasnt caused by street racing but by someone three times over the limit. the guy not only killed himself but my boyfriend and two others. i think this is stupid. at least the people are smart enough to arrange the race and even like the article says have look outs so no one can interfere... and no one can get hurt... now granted there are the couple idiots that ruine it for everyone but still those people are everywhere. it pisses me off. i used to be in the passenger seat of races and there is no harm done the worst that happenes is the engine will blow, but in that case the car will stop.. they are straight races not drifting no curves where you cant see to the other side i honestly think the police need to crack down on more serious crimes than this.

stupified

November 24, 2008 - 12:19 am EST

Sorry for your loss. I have drawn the same conclusion. They have focused their time on the wrong crime. Maybe they'll get to DUI next, who knows?

stupified

November 24, 2008 - 12:07 am EST

The fact that the State Troopers have only taken notice of this since a racer passed an off-duty officer makes this appear as though they are just out for ‘revenge.’ The police were riding around High Point in an unmarked Dodge Charger and a white Ford Mustang (and its suspected they also used an older blue ‘Fox body’ Mustang) to instigate races with the people on Main Street. This sounds a lot like entrapment to me. Also, the news reports have mentioned that people race for money, that is just wrong and completely made up. To these people this isn’t about money, and to most of them it’s not about bragging rights either. They are bored and are in a city with nothing to do. The way they operate the races is actually quite sensible. As stated in the news reports no-one has died or wrecked. How many reports of D.U.I are there where people have crashed or DIED? The State Troopers have focused all this time and money into something far less dangerous than D.U.I. If they spent as much effort catching drunk drivers as they have on operation “DRIFT” (Don’t Race In Front of Troopers) then maybe fatalities would actually decline. I’m not saying that racing isn’t illegal, but this has been blown WAY out of proportion. Considering that most of the people who have been arrested (and released) and had their cars seized are young, the force with which the state has come down on them with seems excessive. I wish they would target drug dealers and drunk drivers as well as they have targeted these kids, as I consider them far more dangerous than the ‘reckless racers.’

JohnA

November 24, 2008 - 7:02 am EST

Butterfly doesn't have a clue, as do none of the people posting who support street racing. One day when you grow up and become adults you'll see.

savvy

November 24, 2008 - 8:09 am EST

Who said I supported racing?? I said find a solution to the problem, find a place for these kids to go and race and hang out, somewhere where they can just race. whose to say how much money a person can put in his or her car so what that mustang had $500 tires!!!

JohnA

November 24, 2008 - 11:25 am EST

Is your name Butterfly? No? Then I single you out now did I?

Butterfly23

November 24, 2008 - 12:05 pm EST

honestly you dont have a clue... no matter what the police do they are not going to stop street racing. honestly i know enough about street racing most people who do race are smart about it they are deffinately not going to do anything that is going to mess up their cars.. yes accidents happen these people who race know their cars and know how to work on them just as good as mechanics do. i dont race my car but from being around people who do i also know how to work on them just by being around it. these people have a knowledge of their cars and i repeat arent going to do anything to cause harm to their cars... and the cops are wrong for entraping and enstagating races. and no no one i know races for money its just a power thing. no harm no gambling most the people who race end up pulling over and talking to each other about their cars. thats it at least these people arent raping people selling drugs or driving drunk .... cause i know for sure people who race are going to be sober... i think you need to get more knowledge about what you are talking about before you say anything or tell me i dont know what im talking about. i am an adult and half the people who race are to. they have jobs and responsiblities how do you think they have the money to fix up the cars. Honestly i have no time for you, you are on a subject you know nothing about.

stupified

November 24, 2008 - 9:57 pm EST

What will we see? That the speed limits are low in this country. I love how the papers says the races were "upwards off 100MPH!!!!" Cars on I-85 go 90MPH, in moderate to heavy traffic!!! thats only 10 MPH slower....think about this long and hard before you label this as dangerous. I think 2 cars side by side at 100 or even 120 is safer than 30 cars arguing for the same space at 90mph. Maybe regular cars like a Camry, Accord, or your family minivan are unstable at those speeds, but they are a completely different types of vehicles. This really isnt that dangerous, its just illegal

r u serious

November 24, 2008 - 9:21 am EST

I read some of these posts and I think “what are these people thinking”. For those who think the police are using all their resources on this particular crime, and only because a cop was past by someone racing, REALLY. Revenge? Please. Look, it doesn’t take an entire police force to investigate a situation. The cars that were mentioned for “entrapment”, look around…you’ll see the same models that are “marked”. I assure you, there are plenty of law enforcement officers concerned with D.U.I.’s. You’ll probably notice the checkpoints in the following weeks. For the passenger of a racer, be glad that your parents didn’t have to see you being extracted from a crashed vehicle. Ever seen a car cross a median at 70 M.P.H. from a blown tire? If all you experienced was an engine letting go, your lucky. If you got time to arrange a race, then race on a track. By the way, I work nights and I travel these roads. Sometimes by myself, sometimes with my family…after I pick up my son from the babysitter. Hope nothing goes wrong during your “controlled race”.

stupified

November 24, 2008 - 9:49 pm EST

I am serious. I've seen the result of a 120mph blow out. They stopped the car and put the spare on, as easy as that. I'm not saying racing is 'smart,' but its far less dangerous than your kitchen or bath tub. The speed isn't dangerous, the issue is that its "taboo" to race. How was NASCAR started, remind me? This has been blown out of proportion tremendously. Most of these people aren't dumb, and some are. The smart ones DONT race down MAIN st, they race on the 311 Bypass. They do this at the early hours of the morning. They often send one car out in front to check the road is clear of objects, then the other cars wait behind so that the stretch they are racing on is closed off from other cars. They aren't reckless like they are being made out to be.

r u serious

November 25, 2008 - 12:51 am EST

Speed kills. It’s a proven fact. Comparing racing injuries/deaths to home accidents or other diseases/natural causes doesn’t even make sense. Racing is not “taboo”. It’s exciting in a controlled environment. As much as you like to think, your precautions on 311 is not a controlled environment. Now for your history lesson on NASCAR. Drivers started out by running illegal liquor, souping up cars to outrun the law. Then the competition began between these “runners” to see who had the faster car. After the realization of the dangers of street racing, they moved racing off the streets and onto Ormond Beach and later Bill France Sr. built Daytona Speedway. So there is your history lesson. Watch the show PINKS. Regular guys racing one another on a race track (a controlled, well lit environment). I’m not talking about the “betting” aspect, just the racing. When the courts are done, I’m sure most will walk with lesser charges ie: reckless driving, endangerment, speeding, but that doesn’t mean that they are any less guilty, just that they had a decent lawyer. As for the really guilty, they can buy their car back at the auto auction. And all this being “blown out of proportion”, maybe. It was just a news article.

stupified

November 25, 2008 - 9:00 am EST

NASCAR was formed because the illegal racing was popular, plain and simple, now its just a money making scheme. And now that its major companies (Ford, GM) may go bust, so will NASCAR. I do watch PINKS, those cars are beyond street legal modifications. I agree that some of these kids are reckless, they're just bad drivers. But some of them are very capable of driving. I personally know some of these kids and they really are decent people that just want to have fun. This town is dead for this population because they aren't older to go the bars or clubs. Bring on the DUI charges, at least that way they can keep their cars and licenses because the state hasnt quite got the laws right

r u serious

November 25, 2008 - 9:41 am EST

You asked how NASCAR was started, not where it ended up. I answered. Defend street racing all you want. I’m not judging the personality or decency of these people. I’m sure “Johnny” is very nice. Skip the “I live in a dull town” scenario. I’m not oblivious to street racing. Big town or small, been there, done that. There are places for these people to race. It-does-not-have-to-be-in-the-streets. Guessing from your last post, these are kids....between what, 18 and 21? The article in this mornings paper, he raced on the track and on the streets. I’m willing to bet he wished he kept it on the track. No car, lawyer costs, court costs, possible loss of license, car payments (even if car is confiscated), etc. Parents are probably going to absorb a lot of those costs. Just saying…stupid. Maybe I should avoid the term “stupid” and just say “too young and inexperienced to know any better” (except the 40 year olds who got caught as well)
Now, between all these spirited posts, I think everything that needs to be said has been said

I’m done

snowman

November 25, 2008 - 10:13 am EST

YOU PEOPLE ARE JUST STUPID....................................................................................................
I grew up in a racing family and a family all about cars, but this is not about fast cars and want a be drivers, it's about everyones safety, believe it not, not just yours. Stop thinking of only yourself you idoits...............

r u serious

November 25, 2008 - 10:38 am EST

Yeah, I was going to go that route, but figured it wouldn't make any difference

kurgun

November 27, 2008 - 6:01 pm EST

So there is apparently no such thing as clubs, the YMCA and tons of after school activities for kids to do stuff with. If you're a parent that blabs my kid needs something to do, you've failed as a parent. It just means that you want your kids out of your hair and someone should find a place for these punks to hang out. Kids are punks yes, yes they are, why? Because I was a kid once and I was a punk, I have no problem admitting that. I used to street race myself back in the day and it's all a huge waste of time and burning gas and doing burnouts. What do you get out of that? That's supposed to be fun? What about the people that are trying to sleep at some odd hour of the morning when the majority of people are sleeping? It's perfectly ok for some punk ass to go burning down the road cause it's for his/her personal enjoyment.

My god where have the times gone ? See I respect people now, where as in my youth I did not. If someone goes flying down the road my street, my camera automatically goes on, it's got a motion sensor, I then submit that to the Police who then handle the problem. If you like to speed, that's great, go find a race track and get the hell off the roads. I really don't care what was proven on not proven in this case, I don't need some bozo to beat me over the head to see that the State troopers are just doing their job and keeping the roads safe. All this mumbo jumbo about paying taxes and being able to race on the streets, kids haven't been working long enough to make that statement near valid.

savvy

November 27, 2008 - 9:52 pm EST

what teenagers are going to go to the ymca and hang out as a group? get real this is what they like get over yourself you did it when you were young I am not supporting racing but they can spend what they want on their cars its none of your business that is why I said give them a place to go with their cars. At least these kids are not blowing their money on drugs they are spending it on their cars and hello it is not just your street we all pay taxes... moron let these kids live their life the way they want to.. welcome to the 21st century moronI bet your the most hated person on your street aaa hahahahahahahahahahahahah.

tinygoracing

December 1, 2008 - 8:42 pm EST

Live and Learn !!!

jims69camaro

December 3, 2008 - 9:08 pm EST

you say "give them a place to go with their cars." that place already exists, it's called a racetrack. no longer are cars limited to straight-line acceleration, there are also road courses and autocrossing. have you ever been? i doubt it by several things you have said. all i can say is go. spend a day flogging your car and testing your nerve. it beats street racing by a mile. a street race is over in less than 15 seconds - try a 3 minute or 5 minute road course, all the while trying to be the best time through. there is nothing like it. and the NHRA is one of the largest clubs i can think of, so you don't have to look any further than that.

to the others who stand in defense of road-racing, all i can say is that it is illegal. the cops are taking the necessary actions to stop the illegal activity by confiscating cars. how likely is an 18-24 year old to return to street racing after his car has been confiscated by the police? not to mention if the car happens to be in one of his parents' names - then he not only catches hell in the courtroom but at home, too.

at least in this area you have the option of going to the auction and buying back your car. in california, once sentence has been passed by the judge, the car is sent to the crusher. no chance to remove your personal belongings, either. whatever was in the car gets crushed.

remember: it is illegal. i would drop a dime in a heartbeat to report street racing. i do the same thing when i see someone swerving all over the road or an unrecognized person trying to gain access to one of my neighbor's houses through the window. it's illegal. get over it. then take it to the track. then take a friend to the track. they will thank you.

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