Tampa street takeover lands 2 in handcuffs: ‘You can run, but you can’t hide’

TAMPA, Fla. - Two people were arrested after police say a group took over a busy Tampa intersection, lit a fire and watched as drivers spun around it early Saturday morning. 

On Tuesday, the burnouts from Saturday's incident were still at the intersection of W. Kennedy Blvd. and MacDill Ave. 

According to police, dozens of people took over the intersection. They say spectators circled as cars spun in donuts with the street stunts stunning Tampa drivers.

READ: 2 drivers arrested for street racing, going 130 mph on Gandy Bridge: FHP

"It’s a dangerous situation to obstruct the roads like that. The police ought to be involved," said John Larsen.

Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said they are putting the brakes on this dangerous trend.

"It’s absolutely crazy that people would put so many lives in jeopardy. It's, it's unspeakable," said Bercaw.

READ: 15 arrests made in weekend street racing sting in Hillsborough County: Authorities

Police broke up the street takeover, and a TPD helicopter followed a green Mustang at the center of the circle, as it sped away.

TPD's helicopter followed a car as it sped away. 

Police say they did not chase the Mustang. Instead, they used the helicopter to monitor from above. When the Mustang pulled into a gas station, officers moved in. The driver and the passenger put their hands up.

Anwar Yasser Awdi, 24, was charged with unlawful racing on a highway and fleeing to elude an officer. Jawad Yasser Awdi, 19, was charged with unlawful racing on a highway.

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Police impounded the Mustang.

"If you're going to come to Tampa and do this and put people's lives in danger, you're going to get arrested, and we're going to seize your car," said Bercaw.

Tampa police arrested two people after they sped away from the street takeover. 

Bercaw said they have a task force, working with other agencies statewide to crack down on street takeovers.

This comes as the Florida Legislature just passed a bill to increase the penalties for participating in street racing and takeovers.

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If signed by the governor, it accelerates police enforcement.

"That absolutely increases our opportunity to seize your car. It increases our opportunity for fines. And it's going to make it, depending on what violation is, going to make it a felony. So absolutely, it's putting the hammer down," said Bercaw.

Bercaw said TPD will also go after those who are participants in this kind of activity.

"The message out there is, you don't even have to be a driver. If you're a participant, we will charge you," said Bercaw.

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Police are still investigating, and detectives are working to identify others involved in this weekend’s takeover.

Police say dozens gathered at the intersection of Kennedy Blvd and MacDill Ave. early Saturday morning for the street takeover. 

"You can run but you can’t hide. If you're going to do that in Tampa, you're going to get caught," said Bercaw.

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