More than 80 arrested after street takeover in Greenville County, SC deputies say
GREENVILLE, S.C. —
Nearby neighbors are weighing in, after more than 80 people were taken into custody after Greenville County deputies intervened in a street takeover late Saturday night.
The incident happened around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday night at the intersection of Locust Hill Road and Fairview Road, according to the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office.
“When you are shutting down streets and all that, it’s a whole different story, now you are adding the community to it, now it’s getting dangerous when you are closing down the streets,” Clayton Pakkala said.
“I just thought I don’t like this going on in my neighborhood is what I thought, you know, like I wanted to get a safe neighborhood when I moved here,” Peggy Wilson added.
Investigators say there was a lot of illegal activity, including burnouts and roadway closures.
WYFF News 4
Picture taken Monday morning in area where street takeover was reported.
Authorities say they arrested 80 adults and multiple juveniles, impounded 38 vehicles and seized 10 firearms.
“I’m glad I didn’t step out in the road and tried to stop them because they’ve got guns, you never know what can happen when you escalate something like that,” Pakkala added.
All of those who were arrested were charged with Aiding and Abetting a Street Takeover under South Carolina’s Roadway Safety and Protection Act.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may be filed. Nearby neighbors appreciated the law enforcement response.
“I’m just glad that people are aware and taking action honestly, like, taking it seriously because I don’t want all that in my neighborhood, we have neighbors with babies and what not, we want to protect our children and we don’t want people flying through our yards and all that,” Tiara Pakkala said.
Overview of SC ‘street takeover’ law
South Carolina’s new street takeover law, The Roadway Protection and Safety Act, which was passed in May of 2026, makes participating in, organizing, or aiding a street takeover a criminal offense.
What does ‘street takeover’ mean in the new law?
“Street takeover” means the unauthorized deliberate and coordinated obstruction of a public roadway, street, highway, intersection, public vehicular area, private property without owner consent, or parking lot for illegal vehicle exhibitions including, but not limited to, burnouts, drifting, doughnuts, speed contests, stunts, wheelies, or other driving maneuvers that show a wilful and wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.
Who is considered a “participant” in the law?
“Participant” means an individual operating a vehicle, riding as a passenger, or engaging in activities with the intent to contribute to a street takeover.
Who is the “organizer” in the law?
“Organizer” means a person who intentionally plans, promotes, or facilitates a street takeover, including using social media, messaging applications, text messages, telephone calls, or another form of communication. This includes a person who coordinates meeting locations, times, or other logistical details that contribute to the occurrence of a street takeover.
What is an “Aider or abettor” in the law?
“Aider or abettor” means a person who assists in planning, coordinating, or physically aiding a street takeover including, but not limited to, blocking roads, selling concessions, collecting entry fees or spectator ticket fees, or directing vehicles.
Other definitions in the law
“Driving maneuvers” means a specific, skillful movement of the vehicle.”Burnout” means the operation of a motor vehicle where the motor vehicle is kept stationary, or is in motion, while the wheels are spun, resulting in friction which causes the motor vehicle’s tires to heat up and emit smoke.”Drifting” means the operation of a motor vehicle where the motor vehicle is steered so that it makes a controlled skid sideways through a turn with the front wheels pointed in a direction opposite to that of the turn.”Doughnut” means the operation of a motor vehicle where the front or rear of the motor vehicle is rotated around the opposite set of wheels in a continuous motion which may cause a circular skid-mark pattern of rubber on the driving surface or the tires to heat up and emit smoke from friction, or both.”Speed contest” means the operation of one or more motor vehicle(s) in a competitive attempt to outgain another motor vehicle or improve one’s speed or time, including racing, timed acceleration, or attempts to outperform another motor vehicle.”Wheelie” means the operation of a motor vehicle where the motor vehicle is ridden for a distance with the front wheel or wheels raised off the ground.”Stunt” means a burnout, drifting, doughnut, wheelie, or other dangerous motor vehicle activity.
What is the punishment?
Punishment for a participant:
for a first offense is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars, imprisoned not more than one year, or both; orfor a second or subsequent offense is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than three thousand dollars, imprisoned not more than three years, or both.
Punishment for organizer:
for a first offense is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars, imprisoned not more than one year, or both; orfor a second or subsequent offense is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than three thousand dollars and imprisoned not more than three years, or both.
Punishment for an aider or abettor:
for a first offense is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one hundred dollars, imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both;For a second or subsequent offense is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars, imprisoned not more than sixty days, or both.
What happens to the vehicles involved in a street takeover?
Any vehicle used by a participant, organizer, or an aider and abettor during a street takeover, shall be seized by the responding law enforcement agency. Within ten days of seizure of such vehicle, the seizing agency shall provide written notice of such seizure to any owner or lienholder of the vehicle. Upon request, the seized vehicle may be returned to the owner or lienholder of the vehicle at the discretion of the responding law enforcement agency. Prior to release, the owner or lienholder shall pay any fees associated with the seizure of the vehicle, to include, but not be limited to, reasonable towing and storage fees. If the owner or lienholder of a seized vehicle fails to claim the vehicle and pay outstanding fees within thirty days of receipt of notice of seizure from the seizing agency, the vehicle shall be forfeited to the seizing agency and title to the vehicle shall transfer to the seizing law enforcement agency. The law enforcement agency may use the vehicle within the agency or sell the vehicle and use the proceeds to fund law enforcement activities.