Officers from the Maryland Car Rally Task Force, the Maryland State Police and local agencies disrupted 12 exhibition driving events Saturday night in Baltimore and Anne Arundel, Howard and Prince George’s counties.

Nearly 500 people attempted to shut down intersections and gathered in parking lots Saturday night for “takeovers,” events during which public roads are blocked for “dangerous stunts” and other illegal activity, according to a news release from state police.

Police responded to 12 locations between 8 p.m. and 12:58 a.m., according to the release. Officers arrested six people from Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., on charges including fleeing and eluding police, negligent and reckless driving, vehicle theft, outstanding warrants and firearm offenses.

The task force has been investigating exhibition driving events, which disrupt traffic, cause property damage, put the public at risk and lead to road blockages, since June, according to the release. The task force includes state police, Maryland Transportation Authority Police, Baltimore Police and the departments in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.

Some actions to prevent the events include increased patrols in hot spot areas, investigations to charge individuals involved and bolstered traffic enforcement, the release says.

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