Oklahona City police make over 150 arrests at illegal street racing event last Friday

A weekend birthday celebration in southeast Oklahoma City turned chaotic as police arrested 154 individuals, including 40 minors, in what authorities described as an illegal street racing event.

The incident, which has sparked controversy and community outrage, occurred on May 17 at Rocket Wrapz, a vehicle-wrapping shop, where attendees claim they were simply celebrating a car meet and birthday party.

The Oklahoma City Police Departmentresponded to reports of a street takeover at Rocket Wrapz, deploying over 40 police cars, K-9 units, and drones to the scene. According to Master Sgt. Dillon Quirk, officers found drugs and illegal firearms among some attendees, leading to the arrest of 154 people, 90 of whom were charged with unlawful assembly.

Police impounded 60 vehicles during the operation.

“It’s not uncommon for us to find narcotics or firearms at these events,” Quirk stated, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy for activities resembling street takeovers, even for spectators. “If you’re out there speculating in the activity, eating snow cones, we took enforcement action,” he added.

Attendees, however, painted a different picture, insisting the event was a non-racing car meet with live music and a DJ, organized to celebrate the shop owner’s birthday.

Community leaders, including Rev. T. Sheri Amore Dickerson of Black Lives Matter OKC, condemned the police response as excessive, labeling it “another act of police brutality” and a “witch hunt.”

Dickerson questioned the heavy-handed tactics, which included pointing guns at teens and arresting minors.

“Isn’t Oklahoma tired of being on the national news for such abhorrent practices?” she asked. The Oklahoma County Detention Center confirmed that at least three individuals, including one woman’s 20-year-old brother, are under Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers.

The Department of Homeland Security has yet to clarify the number of ICE holds.

Authorities have warned Oklahomans to avoid gatherings that could be mistaken for street takeovers, citing the risks of illegal activities.