Arrests in Illegal Rally Police Cruiser Damage

Montgomery County police arrested two adults and a 17-year-old in the Feb. 22 street takeover in Chevy Chase that left two cruisers damaged. (bethesdamagazine.com) (wjla.com) Police said the rally reached the intersection of East West Highway and Connecticut Avenue around 12:39 a.m. after starting in Prince George’s County and moving into Montgomery County. Drivers blocked traffic, spun donuts and drew spectators into the roadway. (montgomerycountymd.gov) According to police and dashboard video, people stood in the intersection to keep officers out, sprayed a fire extinguisher toward a cruiser and smashed glass while an officer was still inside. No officers were injured. (montgomerycountymd.gov) (nbcwashington.com) Ayden Joseph Cline, 18, of Cumberland, Pennsylvania, is accused of climbing onto a cruiser with a lit flare. Novorriya Gregory Smith Jr., 20, of Lusby, is accused of smashing the rear window of the officer’s cruiser and exposing himself to the officer. (nbcwashington.com) (wjla.com) The 17-year-old from Laurel was also charged, but police did not release the juvenile’s name. The adults were reported held without bond, while the teen was released to a parent or guardian. (wjla.com) (mocoshow.com) County officials say the Chevy Chase case is part of a wider pattern of late-night street takeovers and car rallies across the Washington suburbs. Assistant Chief Darren Francke told NBC Washington that participants now appear more willing to confront officers instead of fleeing. (nbcwashington.com) (bethesdamagazine.com) Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich said families should discourage attendance at the events, calling them illegal and dangerous. Commander Jason Cokinos said rallies are planned almost every weekend from spring through fall, depending on weather. (bethesdamagazine.com) Maryland State Police helped clear the Chevy Chase scene, and state police previously said the same rally group had moved through Bowie, Camp Springs, Silver Spring and Upper Marlboro that night. Police also said three handguns were recovered in traffic stops before the Montgomery County incident. (montgomerycountymd.gov) (nbcwashington.com) The arrests give police named defendants in a case that started with shattered cruiser windows and a blocked intersection. Officials are still using the episode to press for tougher tools against the rallies before someone is killed. (bethesdamagazine.com) (nbcwashington.com)