LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Viewer video submitted to WHAS11 showed a street takeover outside Iroquois Park on Saturday. A similar scene, with burnouts, donuts and smoke played out on 26th and Market Streets the very same night in the Portland and Russell neighborhoods.
"When they was doing the donuts right here at the intersection, they just kept going. Just kept going. One after another," an onlooker said, who did not want to be identified. "They trust their skills, but I think it's crazy."
They saw it just before midnight. The illegal takeover woke him and his neighbors out of bed.
"They stop traffic and it's annoying and it's just like, 'move out the way, please!' Just go, so we can go on with our business," Chantillae Adams said.
She's a car fan too — proud of her sporty two-door Audi TT — and lives nearby.
"Even though you have a cool car, you have to be precautious about the people around you," she said.
Louisville Metro Police is stepping up its warnings against the takeovers. A city ordinance lets the department take cars involved in street stunts or races, holding them for up to six months and with a $1000 fine. Since its passage, the department has impounded 65 cars under the ordinance.
"Don't do it," Interim Chief Paul Humphrey said of the takeovers. "We're gonna take your car. And jump on a police car again, and it's probably not gonna work out for you. This guy's gonna end up in jail, sooner or later."
Metro Police have asked for help identifying the man pictured above. That photo, provided by LMPD, shows him on the hood of a squad car at the 26th Street takeover. Humphrey said he caused over a thousand dollars of damage to the vehicle.
For some, six months is too short.
"Don't give the cars back. Don't give 'em back. That's what I think," the anonymous onlooker said.
LMPD did make three arrests after a separate takeover at Cox Park, but none have been made in the Portland and Russell neighborhood takeover.
The department's anonymous tip line is open at all hours of the day if you know anything. That's 574-LMPD (5673).
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