Two were arrested in connection with street racing incidents in Philadelphia

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PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Police have arrested two men in connection with a series of street racing and reckless driving incidents that occurred across the city last month. Joseph Cavanaugh, 21, of Levittown, and James Hare, 20, of Philadelphia, were arrested Friday, Oct. 25, for their alleged roles in the events that began the night of Sept. 21 and continued into the early hours of the morning September lasted, taken into custody 22.

Cavanaugh was arrested in the unit block of Coral Lane in Levittown and faces multiple charges, including aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy, rioting, reckless endangerment and fleeing a police officer. Hare was arrested in the 11700 block of Bustleton Avenue in Philadelphia and charged with similar offenses, including criminal conspiracy, causing a catastrophe, rioting and reckless driving.

Authorities said the incidents involved large gatherings of vehicles engaging in illegal activities such as drifting, drag racing and setting off fireworks. The gatherings spread across multiple locations and drew crowds of up to 200 vehicles. In one case, at 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 21, officers responded to a gathering of approximately 50 vehicles on Bustleton Avenue where multiple citations were made and a driver attempted to flee, colliding with a civilian vehicle.

Police described other events, including reports of reckless driving and vandalism at major intersections such as 20th Street and Pattison Avenue. At midnight, officers observed a vehicle attempt to ram a police car on Columbus Boulevard, leading to a chase and subsequent collision. The occupants of the vehicle fled the scene of the accident.

Philadelphia police said the investigation into these incidents is ongoing and that additional arrests may follow. Mugshots of the two suspects were not made available.