Kent Police arrest 22 during street racing crackdown

Kent Police arrest 22 during street racing crackdown

Officers impound 17 vehicles

Kent Police arrested 22 people for investigation of second-degree criminal trespassing during a crackdown on illegal street racing.

Kent officers joined with members of the Renton Police Department and Washington State Patrol to make the arrests Friday night, May 11, on the industrial streets and parking lots at the north end of the city.

Officers impounded 17 vehicles. Ten additional vehicles were left behind.

“For some reason, they didn’t want to come back to their cars,” new Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla said during his public safety report Tuesday to the City Council.

Padilla said more emphasis patrols are planned this spring and summer.

“The objective of the emphasis was to persuade persons from actively promoting, participating or attending illegal street racing events in the city,” Padilla said. “Over the years these events have not only resulted in injury and fatal collisions but there have been associated crimes such as robberies and shootings. It’s much more than just kids racing. It is a big deal.”

Racers have used the Kent streets for about three decades. The straight, flat and empty streets late at night make a good course for vehicles to race side by side.

“This was a great first strike if you will,” Padilla said. “We very much want to let everyone know that we are going to continue these emphasis patrols. My message to would-be racers is – not in Kent. This isn’t a police department that is going to sit by and let you continue with criminal activity. We are going to be out there.”

Kent Police have tried to stop the racers for many years. In one of the largest crackdowns, 112 people were arrested in 2008.

The city of Renton on the weekend of May 11 began to close certain streets in an effort to stop the racing or at least move it to another city.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

Kent police investigate fatal two-vehicle collision

The collision killed a woman and left a 45-year-old Tacoma driver, suspected of intoxication at the time of the crash, hospitalized.

Competing for the 8th Congressional District: Carmen Goers, left, and Kim Schrier. COURTESY PHOTOS
Adam Smith and Kim Schrier will retain Congress seats | Election 2024

Smith represents the 9th Congressional District and Schrier represents the 8th Congressional District.

Courtesy of Democratic Caucus
Pictured left to right: Sen. Bob Hasegawa (D), Rep. David Hackney, and Rep. Steve Bergquist
Democratic incumbents in lead for 11th Legislative District

Bob Hasegawa, David Hackney and Steve Bergquist have strong leads, with Hasegawa and Hackney running unopposed.

Debra Entenman and Kyle Lyebyedyev. File photos
Entenman and Stearns lead in 47th District | Election 2024

The district includes Kent, Covington and Auburn.

File photo
Kent School District levy is failing at the polls | Election 2024

Early election results show voters rejecting the proposed Capital Projects and Technology Levy.

Larry Best, a customer coordinator for quality assurance who has worked at Boeing for 38 years, stands outside of Angel of the Winds Arena with a “vote no” sign on Monday in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Boeing Machinists approve contract, ending 52-day strike

After voting no twice, 59% of union members approved the latest contract.

Photos from the United States Attorney's Office Western District of Washington press release.
Kent man arrested in connection to violent drug trafficking gang investigation

Law enforcement seized more than 20 kilograms of fentanyl, 60 firearms, and more than $130,000 in cash.

Courtesy Photo, King County
Son accused of fatally shooting mother’s boyfriend in Kent back in jail

Dondre Butler has 3 violations in 13 months of electronic home detention after charged with murder in 2022

t
Kent Police targeted street patrols result in arrest of two felons

One driver spotted in a vehicle with no plates; another driver reportedly in a stolen vehicle

t
Kent cold case murder suspect back in state after governor’s warrant | Update

Kenneth Kundert fought extradition from Arkansas after August arrest in 1980 killing of Dorothy Silzel

t
City of Kent eyes November opening for Reith Road roundabouts

Two more roundabouts will bring total in city to six; three more in future plans