From ABC7 New York · · 1m 20s
Street takeover in Yaphank ends in four arrests
Suffolk County police broke up a 1 a.m. drag race, then used the racers' own Instagram videos to identify them.
In brief
Suffolk County police broke up a 1 a.m. drag race, then used the racers' own Instagram videos to identify them. Posting your own street race online hands police the evidence they need to find you. Originally reported by ABC7 New York.
Four arrested after a takeover
Suffolk County police arrested four people from Connecticut and impounded a truck and a race car after a street takeover in Yaphank over the weekend.
Dozens gathered to watch
Police video shows a crowd ringing two cars that revved their engines, burned out their tires and sped away down the road.
“This was pretty chaotic and extremely dangerous.”
The 1 a.m. call
Officers were sent to Express Drive North just after 1 a.m. Sunday. A Street Takeover Task Force saw cars racing before the group scattered.
Caught with the trailer
A truck towing a trailer with a race car was pulled over later. Christian Vargas Hernandez, John Maldonado, Lawrence Torres and Efrain Rivera were arrested.
Their own videos convict them
The police commissioner said racers post clips to Instagram, and investigators pair those with bodycam footage to identify more cars and drivers.
“They are stupid enough to post their own video on Instagram, so we use that against them.”
More arrests expected
The investigation is open. Police expect to seize a second car from the race, and the four arrested got field appearance tickets ahead of arraignment.
“There was another engaging in that race as well and we expect to confiscate that car as well.”
What it means
Posting your own street race online hands police the evidence they need to find you.
