PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Dozens of people are facing charges following a massive street racing sweep in Pinellas County.

According to St. Petersburg police, nearly 70 people were arrested over the weekend on street racing and other charges.

The department said the crackdown is its most aggressive to date for street racing with 69 people — including 20 juveniles — now facing charges.

What You Need To Know

  • Police say 69 people were arrested Saturday night at a Pinellas street race

  • Charges include fleeing and eluding and child endangerment after parents allegedly brought two young children to the event

  • The crackdown comes after a 13-year-old boy was killed at a race in St. Pete in January

Authorities said dozens of people had gathered in a parking lot between buildings at 1101 Roosevelt Blvd., Saturday night for an event involving vehicle doughnuts and street racing.

Investigators said they had information that the initial locate was being used as a warm-up, and the group had plans to move on to "take over" major intersections throughout Pinellas County.

With the assistance of the Pinellas Sheriff's Office, Pinellas Park Police, and the Florida Highway Patrol, more than 50 patrol cruisers surrounded the event.

The charges of those arrested include felonies fleeing and eluding, and child endangerment (Parents brought their infant daughter and 3-year-old boy to the event) and misdemeanors that include street racing, driving with a suspended license, and obstruction.

Officials also said at least one person was almost struck by a vehicle doing donuts. Authorities said additional charges could be coming.

“You know, I’m not here to judge anyone’s parenting skills, but I just have to say, we’ve seen how deadly these events can be,” said St. Pete Assistant Police Chief Antonio Gilliam. “So you’re talking about 10, 11 o’clock at night. Sometimes in the early morning hours.

"What are you doing bringing a 1-year-old and 3-year-old to an event like this? What good can come out of that?”

Between 2018 and 2022 there were more than 6,600 citations for street racing across the state, according to Florida Highway Patrol.

The weekend operation was part of an ongoing effort to stop illegal street racing in the area after a deadly incident this year. On Jan. 29, 13-year-old Ethan Martin was killed at a street racing event he attended with his father in St. Petersburg.

Officials say a number of law enforcement agencies were a part of this operation, including: St. Pete Police, Pinellas Park Police, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Highway Patrol.

Authorities said it's important to involve multiple agencies, because a race will often start in one jurisdiction and finish in another.