Fairfax County, Virginia, recently became the scene of a dangerous “street takeover” incident that has drawn strong condemnation from the county’s top law enforcement official. Police Chief Kevin Davis expressed his outrage and concern following the chaotic events of an early Sunday morning car meet-up. This incident, which involved a large group of individuals surrounding and allegedly attempting to harm a police officer, has prompted a firm response from the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) and raised questions about community safety and the monitoring of such events.
The incident unfolded in the early hours of Sunday when a Fairfax County police officer arrived at the scene of a reported car meet-up in an industrial area of Springfield. According to Chief Davis, the officer encountered a large group engaging in what he described as reckless and threatening behavior. Videos circulating on social media and police dashcam footage depict a scene of vehicles performing dangerous maneuvers, known as “donuts,” around bystanders. The situation escalated when a significant portion of the crowd converged on the officer’s squad car.
Chief Davis stated his belief that the group intended to forcibly remove the officer from her vehicle, a potentially deadly scenario that was only averted by the timely arrival of backup units. Adding to the severity of the situation, another officer was struck by a vehicle while on foot, sustaining minor injuries. Police radio traffic captured the alarming moment when the officer exclaimed, “I just got hit by a f** car!” after being struck by a sideview mirror and window of a passing vehicle. Further compounding the chaos, one of the participating drivers crashed into a police cruiser.
The videos of the incident show individuals taunting the initial officer, shaking her car, and attempting to gain entry. One person is seen damaging the license plate of the police vehicle, underscoring the hostile nature of the encounter. Police are also actively seeking to identify an individual who wasBrandishing an “assault-style long gun” from a car window during the event, further highlighting the dangerous elements present at the street takeover.
In the wake of this alarming event, the Fairfax County Police Department has moved swiftly to identify and apprehend those responsible. Chief Davis announced the identification of several suspects and the laying of charges:
- Ronal Urrea-Hernandez, 18, of Catonsville, Maryland: Accused of felony hit and run, speed to elude, and operating without a license for allegedly striking the officer on foot.
- Dyland Heckard, 20, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania: Facing warrants for abduction, assault on a law enforcement officer, obstruction of justice, and wearing a mask in public, stemming from allegations of preventing the officer from leaving and engaging in assaultive behavior.
- Unnamed 17-year-old juvenile from Arlington: To be charged with disorderly conduct and abduction for allegedly jumping on the police cruiser and hindering the officer’s movement.
- Carlos A. Martinez, Jr., 18, of Woodbridge: Previously arrested and charged with reckless driving for allegedly driving on the wrong side of the road and colliding with a police cruiser.
Authorities believe the group involved in the Springfield incident may be the same group that gathered earlier in Woodbridge, Prince William County. Police in Prince William County reported a car meet-up in the Market at Opitz Crossing Shopping Center around 12:30 a.m. on Easter morning, which dispersed without arrests or injuries. This suggests a pattern of these groups moving across jurisdictions to evade law enforcement.
Chief Davis emphasized that while “street takeovers” are a recurring issue, the brazenness of this incident, where the crowd confronted officers instead of dispersing, represents a dangerous escalation. The FCPD is collaborating closely with the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office to ensure those involved are held accountable. The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office has stated that it takes such dangerous activities with utmost seriousness and is working in coordination with law enforcement partners.
In response to this incident, Chief Davis has vowed to prevent any recurrence. He announced that the FCPD’s civil disturbance unit will be readily available on weekend nights to respond to similar situations. This proactive measure aims to ensure that officers are not placed in vulnerable positions and that the police department can effectively manage and disperse any future street takeovers.
The Fairfax County Police Department’s commitment to preventing future incidents like this is clear. Utilizing resources like police scanner car technology and coordinated rapid response teams, the department aims to maintain community safety and deter such dangerous gatherings. The focus is now on ensuring accountability for those involved in the recent chaotic events and implementing strategies to proactively address and prevent future street takeovers in Fairfax County.
