The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said that on Friday, deputies raided a street takeover in Jupiter. They arrested seven people, including four kids, and gave tickets to dozens of people who watched.
In a press statement, Teri Barbera, a spokeswoman for the Sheriff’s Office, said that deputies had “information” that the suspects were planning a takeover at the intersection of Jupiter Farms Road and Indiantown Road.
Barbera said that they kept an eye on the drivers until they saw them take over the crossing. Then, deputies stepped in and arrested seven suspects, took seven cars, and gave out more than 40 tickets.
Four of the people who have been taken are underage, and their names will not be made public. Two are 16 and the other two are 17. The adult suspects are William Penenori, who is 18 years old, Leo Torres Montillano, who is 26 years old, and Jeremiah Lherisson, who is 19 years old.
The statement says that Penenori, Montillano, Lherisson, and one of the 16-year-old suspects are all charged with fleeing and avoiding police.
The other suspect, who is 16 years old, is being charged with aggravated battery on a police officer, aggravated running and eluding, and racing on a highway.
One of the 17-year-old suspects is charged with criminal mischief over $1,000, running and eluding, and racing on a highway. The other 17-year-old suspect is charged with racing on a highway while blocking traffic.
The raid is part of “Operation Hot Wheels,” which is an effort by the PBSO to stop street racing. In the past few weeks, police all over South Florida have been cracking down on the activity. Many of the suspects have been charged under a new Florida law that makes street racing, stunt driving, and taking over an intersection illegal crimes.
