Miami Gardens man is arrested in crackdown on street takeovers
.jpg "A Miami Gardens man faces charges after detectives say he participated in six street takeovers in Miami-Dade. Police say the takeovers are dangerous.")
A Miami Gardens man is the newest alleged perpetrator caught amid the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office crackdown on street racing and takeovers, which authorities often say are deadly, lawless activities that won’t be permitted. After months of investigation, detectives say the man is tied to six illegal racing events.
Javier Benavides, 22, is facing six counts of participating in a coordinated street takeover. As of Tuesday afternoon, he remained in the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office detectives have been tracking and monitoring street takeovers, where organized groups block traffic at intersections to perform “reckless driving maneuvers,” Benavides’ arrest report read.
From Oct. 5 to Dec. 28, detectives saw Benavides driving a yellow Chevy Camaro in six takeovers, which were organized in a group chat that authorities secretly infiltrated, the report read.
“At all six intersections, [Benavides] drove [the Camaro] in a lawless and reckless manner,” deputies said, adding he was driving in a circle that recording spectators would stand inside and outside of.
After these events, deputies said Benavides would ask people on Instagram to send him videos of his driving during the takeovers.
Each takeover saw about 40-50 cars participating with 80-100 onlookers. They occurred at:
- Northwest 119th Street and 32nd Avenue on Oct. 5
- Northwest 167th Street and 12th Avenue on Oct. 5
- 1190 NW 72nd Avenue on Nov. 1
- 12639 NW 17th Avenue on Nov. 1
- Northwest 167th Street and 12th Avenue on Dec. 26
- Northwest 135th Street and 42nd Avenue on Dec. 28
On Monday, deputies arrested Benavides at his home and his yellow Camaro was towed.
Unusual for an arrest report, the arresting deputy also included an excerpt on the dangers of takeovers.
“Intersection takeovers have been a nationwide concern, with Miami-Dade County not being exempt...,” the deputy wrote. “These stunts cause concern for public safety and emergency vehicles are unable to traverse the roadways that are blocked off. Some of the dangers associated with the intersection takeovers witnessed by law enforcement in Miami-Dade County include traffic fatalities and shootings.”
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