Wild video released by the Prince George’s County Police Department shows what officers describe as "illegal car takeovers" that have been causing chaos in Maryland.
The aerial footage captures dozens of people standing within feet of cars spinning wildly at high speeds in places like shopping center parking lots.
The video landed amid an ongoing political battle over crime in Maryland.
Gov. Wes Moore has invited President Donald Trump to take part in a "safety walk" in Baltimore to highlight crime-reduction efforts.
Trump, meanwhile, has criticized Moore, accusing him of failing in public safety and posted on Truth Social in August that he would send in the troops.
"After only one week, there is NO CRIME AND NO MURDER IN DC! When it is like that in Baltimore, I will proudly ‘walk the streets’ with the failing, because of Crime, Governor of Maryland. P.S. Baltimore is ranked the 4th WORST CITY IN THE NATION IN CRIME & MURDER," the president wrote.
The release of the footage also came as local police charged 18-year-old Naef Salmo of Millersville in connection with a crash that seriously injured a woman during one of these types of car takeovers.
Authorities said the incident happened around 1:45 a.m. on Sept. 14 at a shopping center on the 8500 block of Landover Road.
Investigators allege Salmo was spinning his car in circles when he struck a spectator. Instead of stopping, police say, he fled the scene, leaving the victim behind.
She was hospitalized with serious injuries but has since been released. Detectives later identified Salmo and located the vehicle.
| Photo of Mr. Salmo at the link. He clearly spends more time cultivating hair than brains. |
Police say Salmo admitted responsibility for the hit-and-run during questioning.
Salmo now faces a slate of charges, including second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct, riot, and obstructing and hindering a police officer. Additional charges may still be filed as the investigation continues.
"We know these illegal vehicle takeovers may seem harmless to some, but the fact is, they can be dangerous," Prince George’s County Police Chief George Nader said in a statement.
"In this case, a young woman suffered serious injuries. We’ve also investigated a fatal shooting at a car takeover in recent years," he added.