Multiple Arrests in Maryland Car Rally Crackdown

Police disrupt large illegal gatherings, seize firearms from juveniles

Apr. 13, 2026 at 6:07pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a confiscated firearm or car part, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.Authorities seized firearms and disrupted illegal car rallies in a coordinated crackdown across central Maryland, highlighting ongoing public safety concerns.Laurel Today

A coordinated overnight crackdown across central Maryland led to multiple arrests and the disruption of several large illegal car rallies, officials said. Authorities targeted alleged exhibition driving and large gatherings across Prince George's County, Montgomery County and Howard County, with enforcement efforts concentrated in areas like Temple Hills, Capitol Heights, Hanover and Elkridge.

Why it matters

Illegal car rallies and exhibition driving pose significant public safety risks, leading to increased enforcement efforts by local authorities to address ongoing concerns in the region.

The details

Police said two adults were arrested during the operation. Steven Javier Cruze-Benitez, 18, of Silver Spring, was allegedly charged with reckless endangerment, multiple assault offenses and firearm-related charges, including possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle. Payton Frazier, 19, of Pasadena, was also taken into custody after allegedly becoming disorderly during an investigation and was charged with resisting arrest and failure to obey lawful commands. Two 17-year-olds were also detained, with one from Fairfax, Virginia, allegedly found with a loaded firearm and another from Laurel found with a replica firearm.

  • The coordinated enforcement operation began late Friday night and continued into Saturday morning.

The players

Steven Javier Cruze-Benitez

An 18-year-old from Silver Spring, Maryland, who was allegedly charged with reckless endangerment, multiple assault offenses and firearm-related charges, including possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle.

Payton Frazier

A 19-year-old from Pasadena, Maryland, who was allegedly taken into custody after becoming disorderly during an investigation and was charged with resisting arrest and failure to obey lawful commands.

Maryland Car Rally Task Force

A multi-agency task force that coordinated the enforcement effort to address ongoing concerns surrounding illegal exhibition driving and public safety risks.

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The takeaway

This crackdown highlights the ongoing efforts by local authorities to address the public safety risks posed by illegal car rallies and exhibition driving in the region, leading to multiple arrests and the seizure of firearms from juvenile participants.