DAYTON — Police are calling it a “pop-up street takeover” after dangerous drivers with high-performance cars took control of a downtown Dayton intersection Sunday.
It took place Sunday around 1 a.m. in the area of East Third and South Jefferson Streets. Video from those in the area shows dozens of cars blocking three of the four ways of the intersection.
The streets in the area remain stained with tire marks and pieces of burnt rubber.
Baxter Stapleton lives downtown and shared with News Center 7′s Mike Campbell what he saw that night.
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“I looked out my window and said ‘what the Fast and Furious is going on here?’” Stapleton said.
He grabbed his phone to record what was happening.
“The dangerous part to me, people in the way of the cars, something could have happened, luckily no one was hurt,” Stapleton said.
News Center 7 obtained video from several other people, some watching from nearby businesses. Some people got their first look at the videos on Monday.
Two students at a nearby career school watched the video and said it was hard to see this activity being safe.
“I get that they’re having fun and all that but they should probably go somewhere else, it’s a busy city right now, especially at night,” Andri’a Wallace said.
“Make sure everyone is safe, no one gets hurt, still have fun at the same time,” Ivan Perdue added.
When police attempted to break up the drivers, they did not want to stop.
“Of course I want cool things to happen in the city, also don’t want to disrespect what is happening here, this is my neighborhood,” Stapleton said.
Police called this behavior unacceptable and said they were flooded with calls from concerned citizens.
“These are very organized and by organized, I do not mean safe, like a public event,” Maj. Jason Hall with Dayton police said.
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Hall is the head of the department’s patrol section.
His crews have been cracking down on so-called “hooning” the catch-all term for all kinds of dangerous driving behaviors.
“There is nothing safe about this behavior,” Hall said.
Stapleton remembers the drivers telling people to not get out of their cars as it would be harder for police to break up the event.
Police said one woman from Indianapolis was arrested.
Police said they are working to identify the people involved and hold them accountable.
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