Nearly 200 arrests made in street racing bust

COLUMBUS, Ohio — If you haven’t seen them, you have likely heard them.

Officers with the Columbus Division of Police arrested hundreds of people Saturday during a crackdown on illegal street racing. This was part of their “Operation Burnout.”

“These aren’t the car enthusiasts. These aren’t the good people who want to go out and show off their car. These are the hostile street takeovers. These are violent offenders that are laying siege to cities,” said Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 9 President, Lieutenant Brian Steel.

On Saturday night, a group of street racers met in an area located off Alum Creek Drive. What they didn’t know was that Columbus police officers, a police helicopter and other agencies were prepared for them.

“We are really sending a message to folks. Stop doing this in our community. We take it very seriously. The citizens are fed up with it. We are fed up with it,” said Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein.

The unofficial results from the operation include 196 arrests, 44 cars impounded, 13 guns recovered, including one ghost gun and one stolen vehicle recovered.

Officers say many were driving more than 100 mph.

“This shows you can police your way out of problems at times. These are individuals who are violent offenders. There were guns removed from these individuals,” Steel said.

Klein said his office won’t tolerate the behavior.

“It’s not only a nuisance, but a threat to public safety. They can lose control of the car at any time,” Klein said.