2 PA Men Arrested After Illegal Rally Ends in Crashes

Authorities say the men swapped license plates, fled police, and crashed into other vehicles.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Two Pennsylvania men have been charged after police say they participated in an illegal car rally in Prince George's County, Maryland, swapped license plates with another vehicle, then attempted to outrun police and crashed into multiple cars. The driver, Blake Miller, 23, of East Berlin, Pennsylvania, fled on foot but was apprehended, while the passenger, Gus Roth, 22, of Hanover, Pennsylvania, also tried to run but was caught by police. Officers found a weapon and ammunition inside the vehicle.

Why it matters

Illegal car rallies have become an ongoing issue in the region, causing public safety concerns and diverting police resources. This incident highlights the dangerous and reckless behavior associated with these events, as well as the efforts by law enforcement to crack down on them.

The details

Police teamed up with other agencies to target illegal car rallies in several counties on the night of February 21-22. At one rally in Prince George's County, a person in a vehicle swapped license plates with another car. When officers approached the vehicle, the driver, Blake Miller, fled and hit several other cars. Miller then got out and ran on foot but was apprehended. The passenger, Gus Roth, also tried to run but was caught by police. A weapon and ammunition were found in the vehicle.

  • The incident occurred on the night of February 21-22, 2026.
  • Police conducted the crackdown on illegal car rallies from 10 p.m. on February 21 through the early morning hours of February 22.

The players

Blake Miller

A 23-year-old man from East Berlin, Pennsylvania who was the driver of the vehicle involved in the incident and was charged with multiple traffic-related offenses.

Gus Roth

A 22-year-old man from Hanover, Pennsylvania who was the passenger in the vehicle and was charged in connection with the firearm found inside.

Prince George's Police Department (PGPD)

The law enforcement agency that led the crackdown on illegal car rallies and made the arrests in this incident.

George Nader

The Chief of the Prince George's Police Department who issued a strong warning against illegal car rallies in the area.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— George Nader, Chief, Prince George's Police Department (Patch.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Blake Miller out on bail.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the ongoing challenge of illegal car rallies in the region, which pose significant public safety risks and divert critical law enforcement resources. The crackdown by police highlights their commitment to addressing this problem, but also raises questions about the effectiveness of current approaches and the need for continued vigilance and community cooperation to prevent such dangerous behavior.