12 charged in Easter Sunday street ‘takeover’ incident in Roswell, police say
Less than three weeks after a street racing intersection takeover disrupted a peaceful Easter Sunday in Roswell, police announced that a dozen people have been charged in connection with the incident.
Thanks to what authorities described as a “wealth of video and photographic evidence,” all but one suspect has been arrested on charges related to the April 17 incident, Roswell police spokesman Officer Tim Lupo said in a news release. Warrants have been taken out against the 12th suspect, but he has not been taken into custody, Lupo said.
Videos and photos from the so-called “takeover” at the intersection of Houze and Rucker roads showed multiple cars performing stunts and laying drag while surrounded by a group of people on foot. When the first officer arrived around 7 p.m., Lupo said, several pedestrians at the scene surrounded her patrol car and began kicking it hard enough to cause damage.
According to police, several suspects were taken into custody at the scene, but many others fled and escaped immediate arrest.
Lupo said the suspects were identified through a “collaborative investigation” that involved other law enforcement agencies and the public, who shared videos, photos and tips from social media.
“These arrests send a clear message, not just from the Roswell Police Department but from our communities as well: reckless and stunt driving in our cities won’t be tolerated,” Roswell police Chief James Conroy said in a statement.
Conroy added that the department has shared evidence with other jurisdictions that may lead to additional charges.
Police identified 21-year-old Jhoan Castro-Delgado of Bethlehem as the lone suspect who was not arrested. Warrants were taken out against him on charges of reckless stunt driving, fleeing and attempting to elude and driving on the wrong side of the road, Lupo said.
According to Lupo, those arrested include:
- Anthony Marquez-Argueta, 21, of Atlanta, charged with interference with government property, obstruction and obstructing highways;
- Luis Perea-Perez, 26, of Marietta, charged with reckless stunt driving and driving on a suspended license;
- Juan Christopher Torres Herrera, 19, of Lawrenceville, charged with reckless stunt driving and driving on a suspended license;
- Nikolas Fernandez, 19, of Lilburn, charged with non-driver participation in a reckless driving exhibition;
- Taylor Levey, 19, of Roswell, charged with non-driver participation in a reckless driving exhibition;
- Osman Yildirim, 18, of Marietta, charged with non-driver participation in a reckless driving exhibition;
- Kevin Valencia, 19, of Smyrna, charged with non-driver participation in a reckless driving exhibition;
- Mario Ruiz, 18, of Buford, charged with non-driver participation in a reckless driving exhibition;
- Ericka Rodriguez-Caba, 22, of Sugar Hill, charged with non-driver participation in a reckless driving exhibition;
- A 17-year-old girl from Alpharetta, who was not identified because she is a minor, charged with non-driver participation in a reckless driving exhibition;
- And 19-year-old Jose Serna-Ruvalcaba, of Lawrenceville, charged with disorderly conduct.
Anyone with additional information about this incident or the whereabouts of Castro-Delgado is asked to contact the Roswell police traffic enforcement unit at 770-640-4100 or TrafficEnforcement@roswellgov.com. Anonymous information can be shared through Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477 or online at www.StopCrimeATL.org.
About the Author
Henri Hollis is a restaurant critic and food reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, where he covers Atlanta’s restaurants, chefs and dining culture. As part of the AJC’s Food & Dining team, he reviews new restaurants, reports on industry trends and explores metro Atlanta’s culinary scene through the neighborhoods and people that shape it.
