M3 and M4s seized for street racing in NC

[Kingmarkeith]

FYI guys

I ran into this crew Saturday night in Uptown charlotte NC, the next day all this occured.


BREAKING: 5 BMW's seized in Catawba Co. street racing bust, citations issued
http://www.wcnc.com/news/local/5-bmw...ring/457214535


https://m.facebook.com/story.php?sto...00001251739796


http://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/dep...unty/562200457

http://interactives.wncn.com/photomo...t-racing-bust/

[RickFLM4]

They should have just taken their cars to the track or drag strip so I can't say I am feeling sorry for them.

[Kingmarkeith]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

They should have just taken their cars to the track or drag strip so I can't say I am feeling sorry for them.

true. I just happened to run into this crew the night before at work in uptown Charlotte, NC. Cars were looking really good. Then the next day I see this in the news. Sad part is they had just left the m performance track event in SC the previous day....

[carchrism5]

I saw this too, seems like they were a little out of control. Saw these pics posted in an NC group.

[Naz24]

Quiite a few forum members went to this event at Michelin USA HQ. I guess on their way back, they wanted to test out their new PS4s....

[Naz24]

So let me get this straight, if they appear before the judge and he does not grant them to get their vehicles back, they have to prob pay the remaining balance off and sign over the titles to the state for auction?

Man that BLOWS

[Kingmarkeith]

Originally Posted by Naz24

So let me get this straight, if they appear before the judge and he does not grant them to get their vehicles back, they have to prob pay the remaining balance off and sign over the titles to the state for auction?

Man that BLOWS

Exactly. I seriously doubt given the extent of the situation, with multiple 911 calls, they freaking stopped traffic, no judge is going to give them their cars back. I'm sure some of these guys might owned cars straight out, but either way it's a messed up situation financially. Not to mention if any of them have NC license, they will loose that too. Tough, tough lessons learned.

[RickFLM4]

I suspect they may eventually get their cars back but it will cost a fortune and they won't be able to drive them when their licenses are suspended. If they are not NC residents, NC will almost certainly report this back to whereever they live. These aren't simple traffic infractions.

They were probably all racing at different times. They guys blocking traffic got off easy relative to those caught racing.

[Blindside_137]

A few comments on a Facebook group said that there were just 2 or 3 cars that were actually "racing" and they were the cars that got away from the cops.

The cops had shut down a section of highway to get the cars pulled over. Sounds like a woman called the cops on them for "racing" and a guy "hanging out of the window" who was likely getting photos of the cars rolling. It sounds like a lot of the cars that were stopped weren't the ones doing anything illegal.

Another person said there was absolutely no street racing and they weren't blocking up traffic, only doing a few pulls. But "pulls" counts as street racing in my eyes. A shitty situation for sure. But nothing pisses me off more than when a motorcycle crew blazes by me going 120, or how some of these Instagram guys show them weaving all through traffic cutting people off (mainly E9x guys up northeast). If these guys were doing pulls up to triple digits on a public highway I really can't feel bad for them. But if they truly were minding their own business and respecting the road, that sucks major.

[RickFLM4]

I would think their best bet would be to not post anything anywhere and consult with a attorney.

[Kingmarkeith]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

I would think their best bet would be to not post anything anywhere and consult with a attorney.

seized.....

http://interactives.wncn.com/photomo...t-racing-bust/

[Blindside_137]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

I would think their best bet would be to not post anything anywhere and consult with a attorney.

Agreed. Of all the cars involved I only think one has posted anything about the situation.

[RickFLM4]

This article claims none of the cars were registered in NC, speeds exceeded 100 mph and they nearly caused crashes, while acknowledging 2 vehicles got away, so there will be a lot to sort through:

http://www.fayobserver.com/news/2017...north-carolina

NEWTON, N.C. (AP) — Five cars have been seized in North Carolina in connection with a street racing ring.

Local news outlets report troopers with the North Carolina Highway Patrol seized five BMWs Sunday evening after a group of people blocked traffic to race along Highway 321 in Catawba County. Troopers say the individuals created hazardous driving conditions and nearly caused several crashes.

The Highway Patrol said the five BMWs were used in the racing, and were travelling at speeds over 100 mph (161 kph). Two other vehicles escaped.

None of the seized cars were registered in North Carolina. Each is worth between $80,000-100,000.

Troopers said the drivers were issued criminal citations on charges of pre-arranged speed racing. No names have been released, and it’s unclear how many people received the citations.

[Blindside_137]

"Hanging out of the window to film the race" honestly to me it sounds like they were trying to get roller pics. It probably was at speeds below the speed limit and was causing a traffic hold up. Then combine that with a few guys doing pulls it makes it look like they shut down the road to race.


CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. - Street racers driving high-end BMWs were busted Sunday evening in Catawba County, deputies said.

Authorities said 10 cars were involved along Highway 321 in Newton, but five of those cars were seized after they were determined to be racing.

Officials said the other cars were impeding traffic so that the cars could race.

The Highway Patrol staged the area and shut down the road for 5-10 minutes to get them off the road.

Deputies said a caller told them a man with a camera was hanging out of the window from one of the cars and was filming the race.


https://www.google.com/amp/s/wsoctv....unty/562200457

[rr006rbc]

What exactly is a racing ring lol. They go across multiple states just doing 100+mph highway pulls and cutting people off? Or are they doing it Fast n Furious style marking off 1/4 legs of the highway w/ women in bikinis; because that'd be dope.

[Bimmed Out]

This makes me sick on multiple levels.

[Kingmarkeith]

Originally Posted by rr006rbc

What exactly is a racing ring lol. They go across multiple states just doing 100+mph highway pulls and cutting people off? Or are they doing it Fast n Furious style marking off 1/4 legs of the highway w/ women in bikinis; because that'd be dope.

Ha!

[Draper]

Does anyone know if the NC statutes include forfeiture of property in cases of reckless driving?

If not, this would just be a temporary impound until a judge sorts out a proper legal remedy.

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by Blindside_137

"Hanging out of the window to film the race" honestly to me it sounds like they were trying to get roller pics. It probably was at speeds below the speed limit and was causing a traffic hold up. Then combine that with a few guys doing pulls it makes it look like they shut down the road to race.


CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. - Street racers driving high-end BMWs were busted Sunday evening in Catawba County, deputies said.

Authorities said 10 cars were involved along Highway 321 in Newton, but five of those cars were seized after they were determined to be racing.

Officials said the other cars were impeding traffic so that the cars could race.

The Highway Patrol staged the area and shut down the road for 5-10 minutes to get them off the road.

Deputies said a caller told them a man with a camera was hanging out of the window from one of the cars and was filming the race.


https://www.google.com/amp/s/wsoctv....unty/562200457

Yeah, hard to tell from information available what really happened. But it doesn't sound like everyone was sitting around chatting and eating ice cream. My guess is someone (and likely more than just one) was almost certainly doing something stupid.

Unfortunately for those busted, even if the 2 worst offenders got away (for now - video or witnesses may fuck them later) that isn't much of a defense if they were also doing something like pulling to 100 mph. Lots to sort through.

[Kingmarkeith]

Originally Posted by Draper

Does anyone know if the NC statutes include forfeiture of property in cases of reckless driving?

If not, this would just be a temporary impound until a judge sorts out a proper legal remedy.

Yes the changed seizure law here in NC last year. If you flee from law enforcement it automatically becomes property of the State. in this situation it's at the judges discretion to give the property back to individuals once all fines and citations have been paid, or he can order all property to be given to the State, in which they can sell at a state auction, or be used as law enforcement undercover vehicles. whatever they want to do at this point.

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by Draper

Does anyone know if the NC statutes include forfeiture of property in cases of reckless driving?

If not, this would just be a temporary impound until a judge sorts out a proper legal remedy.

Good question. I am neither a lawyer nor from NC, but (k) in this sounds like its possible (if even the right statute - just did quick google search):

http://codes.findlaw.com/nc/chapter-...-20-141-5.html

That said, not sure how they apply the law, and it seems extreme to have property forfeiture for one violation. That's why I'm guessing they may eventually get their cars back, but at a steep price.

(On top of racing, I let these guys distract me today. Gotta get some work done!)

[Thescout13]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

Good question. I am neither a lawyer nor from NC, but (k) in this sounds like its possible (if even the right statute - just did quick google search):

http://codes.findlaw.com/nc/chapter-...-20-141-5.html

That said, not sure how they apply the law, and it seems extreme to have property forfeiture for one violation. That's why I'm guessing they may eventually get their cars back, but at a steep price.

(On top of racing, I let these guys distract me today. Gotta get some work done!)

It does seem extreme. However, the thing about forfeiture laws nationwide is that there arent any well developed constitutional bounds. In some states, its at a local justice systems discretion whether you get your property back. It is insane. If you do a quick search or watch John Olivers takedown (not saying he is gospel but an easy way to see examples) you can see some examples of people having money or cars just taken from them by local cops under this forfeiture rule. Its basically legalized corruption and clearly a constitutional violation if they did not commit some crazy felony. If they did, then who knows. However I have some difficulty believing its okay for the government to just take someones property in connection for doing something that is illegal. The only exception Im okay with are the obvious ones like seizing drugs, money in connection with drugs, property bought with money in connection with drugs, and fraud to obtain property (which includes embezzlement, insider trading, robbery, and the like)