Watch: Fire started in Tampa intersection during ‘street takeover’
A fire was started in the middle of a Tampa intersection early Saturday morning as part of a “street takeover” in which the driver of a Ford Mustang did doughnuts around the blaze, Tampa police reported on Tuesday.
A police helicopter tracked the car after the event, and the driver and passenger were arrested.
The takeover occurred at the intersection of MacDill Avenue and West Kennedy Boulevard. Police said they were called to the area and found “a group of subjects lighting a fire in the intersection” as the driver of a green Ford Mustang did doughnuts, a news release states.
Police on the ground tried to stop the driver, but he took off. Officers did not pursue the car, but a police helicopter followed it to a 7-Eleven at 4320 N. MacDill Ave. Officers arrived and arrested the driver and passenger.
The driver, Anwar Yasser Awdi, 24, was arrested on charges of unlawful racing on a highway and fleeing police. His passenger, Jawad Yasser Awdi, 19, was arrested on the unlawful racing charge.
Tampa Bay law enforcement have been publicizing their efforts to crack down on highway racing, particularly after a 13-year-old boy was hit and killed by a motorcycle during a street racing gathering in January 2023 in St. Petersburg.
The boy’s father, the motorcyclist and the owner of the bike all were arrested. Prosecutors dropped the charges against the father and the motorcycle owner. The motorcyclist, Carlos Fernando Fernandez, 22, is still charged with vehicular homicide and manslaughter and is awaiting trial. He has pleaded not guilty, court records show.
“The reckless behavior of those involved in this type of activity is completely unacceptable,” Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said in a statement about Saturday’s incident. “This type of street takeover not only puts participants at risk but also creates a dangerous situation for innocent motorists and pedestrians in our community. It should be clear that those who choose to engage in such reckless activity will be arrested, and their vehicles will be impounded.”
Police said they are still investigating the street takeover on Saturday and are looking to arrest others who were involved.
