14 Arrested In Tampa Bay Street Racing Event Thwarted By Police

TAMPA, FL — More than a dozen people were arrested and multiple guns were recovered by the Tampa Police Department between Friday, Jan. 27, and Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, as part of an operation to shut down a street racing event planned to occur throughout Tampa Bay on Gasparilla Fest weekend.

Officers became aware of the event after members of the community saw it circulating on social media and contacted police. The event, dubbed the "Tampa vs. Everybody" takeover, was scheduled to take place over one of the busiest weekends of the year on Tampa roads.

Participants shared information privately via social media apps regarding meeting locations where they planned to either race or perform car stunts in the roadways, such as "donuts," in front of spectators, shutting down the streets.

Some of the participants were expected to be armed with firearms based on information received by officers.

"During one of the busiest weekends in Tampa, Gasparilla, Tampa Police worked diligently to locate these racers and bring their reckless behavior to a screeching halt," said interim Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw. "We're thankful for the many residents who saw this event advertised on social media and reached out to police for the safety of their community. Putting lives at risk for their own entertainment is extremely careless and unacceptable. We want to send a clear message to anyone thinking of copying the actions of these individuals: You will get caught, and your next ride will be to jail."

Street racers were arrested at multiple locations throughout Tampa, Hillsborough County and surrounding areas of Tampa Bay.

Seven firearms were recovered during the operation. Additional arrests are expected.

Law enforcement arrested 14 people, some minors, including:

• Ariel De La Mora and Zephen Lee McDaniel, both 18, charged with fleeing to elude police on Sunday at 1:19 a.m. at North Nebraska Avenue and East Henderson Avenue.
• Al-walit Rajon Morton, 18, and three 17-year-olds charged with aggravated fleeing to elude police on Sunday at 2:17 a.m. at North Boulevard and West Kennedy Boulevard.
• Anthony Michael Alvarado, 19, charged with fleeing to elude police, carrying a concealed firearm and armed possession of a controlled substance on Saturday at 11:55 p.m. at 43rd Street and East Sligh Avenue.
• Derrick Bass,30, charged with street racing in a rented U-Haul pickup truck past its return date on Saturday at 9:46 p.m. at Madison Street and North Florida Avenue. \
• Harlee Matthew Cooper, 18, charged with carrying a concealed firearm, possession of a controlled substance (mushrooms) and discharging a destructive device (mortar launcher) on Saturday at 1:57 a.m. at 40th Street and East Chelsea Street.
• Wayne Robert Warren Jr., 22, charged with fleeing to elude police and hit and run on Saturday at 1:30 a.m. at Exit 41C on Interstate 275 and North Himes Avenue.
• Brody Parker Richardson, 18, and Zackreyiah Wade Stribling, 19, charged with racing on highways Saturday at 12:48 a.m. at 1103 N 22nd St.