The Brief
An 18-year-old was arrested on Sunday after participating in a street takeover on Hillsborough Avenue, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Investigators say the driver participated in an illegal vehicle takeover and ran from a traffic stop on Hillsborough Avenue.
A state trooper used a PIT maneuver to stop the car and discovered a police radio scanner inside the center console.
TAMPA, Fla. – An 18-year-old Riverview man was arrested early Sunday morning after allegedly participating in a street takeover and running from state troopers on Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa.
Tampa street takeover pursuit
What we know
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, troopers observed multiple vehicles weaving through traffic and performing burnouts during an illegal vehicle takeover on eastbound State Road-580, also known as Hillsborough Avenue.
One trooper attempted to stop a white Dodge Challenger that was driving recklessly, but troopers say the driver accelerated away on westbound Hillsborough Avenue.
A trooper in pursuit caught up with the Challenger, when the driver slowed down before suddenly driving off again at a high rate of speed.
The trooper then executed a PIT maneuver, immobilizing the Challenger at 1:34 a.m.
During a search, troopers found an active police radio scanner inside the center console cupholder that FHP said was being used to track law enforcement radio traffic.
The driver, Rodrigo Rivera-Montano, 18, was placed into custody and booked into jail.
Rivera-Montano faces charges of unlawful racing on a highway and a felony charge of fleeing and attempting to elude a police officer.
Hillsborough Avenue racing investigation
What we don’t know
Authorities have not released information regarding whether other drivers or spectators involved in the street takeover were identified or arrested.
The Source
This article was written using information from the Florida Highway Patrol.