Street Racers Beware: Cops Can Now Keep Your Cars

 

ODESSA – Texas has passed a new law allowing police and other law enforcement to seize vehicles that are involved in street racing.

If the owner is charged with at least a Class A misdemeanor, law enforcement can take the vehicle or vehicles involved.

Odessa Police Sergeant Rusty Martin said, “We all share these roadways and you have kids street racing. I mean we make several arrests every weekend for street racing.”

Over the last five years racing has been an issue for Odessa law enforcement. Nearly 250 arrests have been made for street racing.

If a judge grants it, the seized vehicle can be used by police as an undercover vehicle or could be sold at an auction.

The misdemeanor could be upgraded if the driver is intoxicated or has a prior conviction for racing.

Sgt. Martin hopes this new law will cause racers to think twice.

“It’s important that we show that we are serious and that there’s going to be consequences to their actions. The charges of Class B misdemeanor hasn’t made a huge effect. It’s definitely an issue and with our streets, as I said we have to share these streets and there’s kids doing 80, 90, 100 miles (per hour) down these streets it’s scary.” Sgt. Martin said.

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