PPB Makes Arrests, Tows Vehicles During Illegal Street Takeover Activity

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On Tuesday night, June 16, 2026, officers assigned to the Portland Police Bureau's North Precinct spotted a street takeover event in the area of Northeast Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard and Northeast Ainsworth Street. Participants were observed actively performing donuts and other reckless driving maneuvers. Additional officers responded and a plan was developed to address the dangerous behavior. Officers conducted a traffic stop on one vehicle and arrested the driver, identified as 21-year-old Moises Lucero. While his vehicle was towed, Lucero was transported to the Multnomah County Detention Center (MCDC) and lodged on the following charges: Reckless Driving and Reckless Endangerment.

A short time later, officers were notified of another street takeover event in the area of Northeast 13^th Avenue and Northeast Lloyd Boulevard. Officers observed a vehicle performing donuts. The driver, identified as 21-year-old Henock Mekuria, was arrested, and his vehicle was towed. A firearm was recovered in the vehicle. Mekuria was transported to MCDC and lodged on the following charges: Reckless Driving and Reckless Endangerment.

Less than an hour later, a third street takeover event was located in the 3900 block of Northeast Marine Drive. Officers stopped one vehicle being driven by a 17-year-old juvenile. He was cited and the vehicle was towed.

"Street takeovers are incredibly dangerous and put participants, spectators and innocent community members at risk," Chief Bob Day said. "I'm proud of the work our officers did to quickly address these events, make arrests and seize vehicles involved in this reckless behavior."

Following the third enforcement action, no additional street racing or street takeover activity was located. PPB remains committed to disrupting this dangerous behavior as resources allow.

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