53 Arrested In Illegal Street Racing Operation: Lakeland Police

POLK COUNTY, FL — Fifty-three arrests on charges of illegal street racing were made in Lakeland in an area popular for speeders on Sunday, the Lakeland Police Department said.

Many complaints about street racing in the 6000 block of First Park Boulevard were received by the Lakeland Police Department, Polk County Sheriff's Office and Florida Highway Patrol from property owners and tenants in the area. The three agencies worked together in the "No Need for Speed" operation.

Detectives went to 6870 First Park Boulevard on Sunday, where a crowd of 300 showed up for illegal street racing, authorities said. "No Trespassing" signs are visible on this property. Officers said they saw several people driving recklessly by doing burnouts and donuts in the parking areas.

Police arrested 53 people and 165 citations were issued. Deputies also found seven guns and a variety of drugs in some of the vehicles. Thirty-one vehicles were impounded for illegal street racing, according to authorities.

Investigators said that out of the total arrests made on Sunday, 92 percent did not live in Polk County.