Austin 'street takeover': 17 more charged in ongoing investigation
AUSTIN, Texas - Charges have been filed against 17 additional individuals in connection with February's ‘street takeover’ incidents in Austin, officials say.
In a joint press conference with Texas DPS and the Travis County District Attorney's office, Austin police chief Joseph Chacon announced those 17 individuals are facing a collective 38 additional charges. Two of those charged are juveniles.
11 of the 17 are currently in custody as of Thursday afternoon, and officials are working to arrest the other six. Chacon says those charged range in age between 15 and 32 years old.
Those arrested include:
Alejandro Acosta-Amaya, 17
- Evading in a Motor Vehicle, 3rd Degree Felony
Jerry Antonio Gore Jr, 22
- Obstruction of a Highway, Class A Misdemeanor
- Evading in a Motor Vehicle, 3rd Degree Felony
- Theft of a Firearm, State Jail Felony
- Unlawful Possession, Class A Misdemeanor
- Engaging in Organized Crime, State Jail Felony
Corey Latavyan Hicks, 23
- Obstruction of a Highway, Class A Misdemeanor
- Engaging in Organized Crime, State Jail Felony
- Deadly Conduct, Class A Misdemeanor
Keegan Alec Lopez-Stiba, 22
- Obstruction of a Highway, State Jail Felony
Duwan Tay Mabin, 24
- Obstruction of a Highway, Class A Misdemeanor
- Deadly Conduct, Class A Misdemeanor
- Unauthorized Use of Motor Vehicle, State Jail Felony
Kevonte McConnell Hawkins, 30
- Obstructing a Highway, Class A Misdemeanor
- Engaging in Organized Crime, State Jail Felony
- Deadly Conduct, Class A Misdemeanor
- Reckless Driving, Class B Misdemeanor
Corry Jerome Murray Jr, 19
- Obstruction of a Highway, State Jail Felony
- Obstruction of a Highway, Class A Misdemeanor
- Engaging in Organized Crime, State Jail Felony
- Deadly Conduct, Class A Misdemeanor
- Reckless Driving, Class B Misdemeanor
Genesis Brenda Ramirez, 25
- Obstruction of a Highway, Class A Misdemeanor
- Engaging in Organized Crime, State Jail Felony
- Deadly Conduct, Class A Misdemeanor
Keshun Jamal Semere, 21
- Obstruction of a Highway, State Jail Felony
Unidentified juvenile suspect
- Unlawful Use of Fireworks, 1st Degree Felony
Those still wanted by officials include:
Jose Leonidas Carcamos, 23
- Obstruction of a Highway, State Jail Felony
Cristian Hernandez, 20
- Obstruction of a Highway, Class A Misdemeanor
- Engaging in Organized Crime, State Jail Felony
- Deadly Conduct, Class A Misdemeanor
Edward Pittman Jr, 23
- Obstruction of a Highway, State Jail Felony
Ryan Ray Lacour, 28
- Obstruction of a Highway, Class A Misdemeanor
- Engaging in Organized Crime, State Jail Felony
- Deadly Conduct, Class A Misdemeanor
Corey Austin Lamb, 32
- Obstruction of a Highway, Class A Misdemeanor
Juvenile Suspect
- Obstruction of a Highway, State Jail Felony
- Obstruction of a Highway, State Jail Felony
DPS also filed two additional charges: one count of unlawful use of a firearm and one count of theft of a firearm.
In Texas, state jail felonies are punishable by between 180 days and 2 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Third-degree felonies are punishable by between 2 and 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Second-degree felonies are punishable by 2–20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Class A misdemeanors carry a sentence of up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000. Class B misdemeanors are punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.
Chacon says the investigation revealed more activity than was initially known, including that there were a total of seven takeover incidents between 6 p.m. Feb. 18 and 2 a.m. Feb. 19. The "most widely publicized at the time" event at South Lamar and Barton Springs Road was the third of the night.
"Anyone who comes into our city and commits similar acts can expect a similar response," Chacon said.
Officials say multiple agencies investigated the incidents using video evidence and witness statements to identify suspects.
According to arrest affidavits, many suspects were tracked down with the help of social media as many of them and their vehicles could be matched up with videos online.
"We are in a strong position to ensure these individuals are held accountable," Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza said.
"It's clearly a significant threat to the public and won't be tolerated in Austin, it's not going to be tolerated anywhere in the state, plain and simple. If you're involved in street takeover, we're certainly going after you, we're going after your vehicle, you'll be arrested, prosecuted, your vehicle seized, and we're also going after your driver's license as well," DPS Director Steve McCraw said.
The incidents happened as far south as the 4800 block of US 290 West in Southwest Austin and as far north as E. Howard Lane and S. Heatherwilde Boulevard near Pflugerville.
The locations and sequence of events are as follows:
- February 18 at 6-8:50 p.m. - 4805 US-290, Austin, TX 78735
- February 18 at 8:38-9:05 p.m. - 2700 Bee Caves Rd, Rollingwood, TX 78746
- February 18 at 9:31-10:14 p.m. - S Lamar Blvd & Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
- February 18 at 9:56-10:16 p.m. - Mueller (Shell then HEB Area), Austin, TX 78723
- February 18 at 10:27-11:22 p.m. - US-183 & I-35, Austin, TX 78753
- February 18 at 11:41 p.m. -12:02 a.m. - Howard Ln & Heatherwilde Blvd, Austin, TX 78753
- February 19 at 1:36-2:11 a.m. - Braker & Metric Blvd., Austin, TX, 78758
What we know so far
The Austin Police Department is investigating multiple street racing incidents from the night of Feb. 18 where one officer was hurt, and several vehicles were damaged.
Videos show cars doing donuts, people throwing fireworks at cop cars, girls hanging out the windows, and people on fire.
A little after 9 p.m. that night, people were blocking intersections, one at Lamar Boulevard and Barton Springs Road, another at Mueller Boulevard and 51st Street, and another on Howard Lane in North Austin.
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The cohost of this large, coordinated event, the Lonestar Show, told FOX 7 the goal was to have fun. Hundreds of people came from all over the country to participate in this side show, or takeover.
The event went on until around 1:30 a.m. the next morning. Austin PD said an officer was hurt and several vehicles were damaged. A Travis County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson said two of their vehicles had their windows busted out, rocks thrown at them, and they had to be towed.
As of Feb. 21, seven people have been arrested in connection with the event: one by DPS and six by APD. They are facing charges that include evading arrest, drug possession and unlawful carrying of weapons.
Statewide street takeover task force
After the takeover incidents in Austin, Gov. Greg Abbott announced the launch of a statewide street takeover task force to combat the rise in dangerous street takeovers happening across the state.
Abbott directed DPS to address the recent street takeovers that have become increasingly violent and more frequent, resulting in injuries to law enforcement officers and endangering the public.
The task force will focus on state-level investigations that target the organized crime aspect of the street takeovers with the goal of making arrests and seizing assets, including vehicles and weapons.
Gov. Abbott says, in many cases, the felony charges associated with these crimes will result in prison time for the criminals responsible.
Police release photos of suspects, vehicles involved
In early March, APD released photos of suspects and vehicles involved in the takeover, asking for the public's help in identifying them.
APD said at the time that some suspects had already been identified during the investigation and arrest warrants were being sought.
The criminal offenses being investigated include but are not limited to Aggravated Assault Against a Peace Officer, Deadly Conduct, Evading in a Motor Vehicle, Reckless Driving Exhibition, Obstructing a Highway or Other Passageway, and Use of Laser Pointers.