Six More Suspects Arrested in Birmingham Street Racing Crackdown
Birmingham, Alabama—As part of an ongoing operation to curb illegal street racing and exhibition driving in the city, six more people have been arrested by the Birmingham Police Department in the latest rounds of Operation Knight Rider.
About Operation Knight Rider
Operation Knight Rider took off from the second weekend in April under the initiative of Birmingham Mayor, Randall Woodfin, himself. Woodfin, collaborating closely with the police department, sought a comprehensive plan to tackle street racing issues which had become rampant city-wide. With the help of the Jefferson County legislative delegation, Woodfin also upped the ante by announcing plans to prohibit and impose penalties for certain forms of “exhibition driving” behaviors such as street and drag racing, burnouts, donuts, etc.
Special Operations Bureau Intervention
The Special Operations Bureau, led by Deputy Chief Michael Pickett, got into action, analyzing data on high hotspots and strategizing resource deployment accordingly. Moreover, residents of Birmingham were encouraged to actively participate by calling in with any tips. The legislation got passed and signed by Gov. Kay Ivey.
Previously, guilty drivers often walked away with a mere ticket. However, under the new law, offenders are facing at least misdemeanor charges, and could face a Class B felony charge if there is an injury or fatality, or significant property damage.
The Initial Success of Operation Knight Rider
In just the first month of operation, the Birmingham Police notched up a total of 34 arrests, three of which were forwarded to the Northern District of Alabama U.S. Attorney’s Office for federal prosecution. The arrests included 45 felony charges, 32 misdemeanor charges, 10 exhibition driving-related charges, and nine charges of fleeing or attempting to elude police.
Furthermore, the operation led to the recovery of nine stolen vehicles and impounding of 25 others. In addition, the police confiscated 4.1 pounds of marijuana, 39 grams of cocaine, 228 grams of methamphetamine, along with cash amounting to $11,723 suspected to be drug proceeds.
Recent Arrests Boost Operation’s Momentum
Sgt. LaQuitta Wade announced the latest round of arrests took place during the week of May 31–June 1 and the weekend of June 22-23, 2024, where six people were arrested, four vehicles impounded – including one stolen vehicle – and seven firearms seized.
The arrested individuals include:
– 19-year-old RaJai Atmore from Hoover, charged with exhibition driving and unlawful possession of marijuana.
– Quentavious Barclay, a 29-year-old from Childersburg, charged with receiving stolen property, attempting to elude, and unlawful possession of marijuana.
– 18-year-old Davon Dortch from Birmingham is charged with receiving stolen property.
– Jaqua Lacey, 28, from Birmingham, is charged with exhibition driving.
– Cameron Scales, 18, from Birmingham, is charged with receiving stolen property, felony attempting to elude, and criminal mischief.
– 20-year-old Messiah Woodruf from Fultondale, is charged with exhibition driving.
In a strong message to offenders and residents, Wade stated that Operation Knight Rider would continue to be aggressively pursued in the coming months.
