Sparks Police say they arrested two teenagers after they raced officers throughout parts of Sparks on Saturday night.

The second teen, a 17-year-old was arrested on Sunday and charged with felony eluding and street racing. 

Late Saturday evening Sparks Police Officers chased street racers who were gathered together, and also arrested a driver who was trying to escape an officer.

Sparks Police say they responded to reports of street racing in the area of Greg Street and McCarran Boulevard at 11:45 p.m.

Officers patrolling found a group of street racers gathered together in the area of Spice Island Drive and Purina Way. 

They say as officers approached the group on foot vehicles began to flee and a pursuit began. 

The pursuit began with three vehicles on Purina Way and continued into a nearby business parking lot. The vehicles continued to evade officers and drove off into a graveled area onto railroad tracks. 

Sparks Police say the officers ended the pursuit due to the safety of the community and the reckless driving.

Sparks Police say a short time after the pursuit, officers saw more vehicles they believe to be street racers traveling on McCarran Boulevard away from the same area.

They say a Sparks Police patrol car was waiting at a red light at McCarran and Nichols Boulevard when several of the aforementioned vehicles pulled up next to the officer and began to rev their engines.

When the light turned green one vehicle sped away from the light. The officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the speeding car, but the car ran red lights and endangered other drivers on the road.

Sparks Police called off their pursuit for the safety of the public, but during a follow-up investigation were able to locate the speeding vehicle at 6200 Meadowood Mall Circle. 

Officers Identified the driver as 19-year-old Luis Lara Rodriguez, and arrested him for Felony Driver Disobey Police Officer with Endangerment to the public, Basic Speed, Failure to Obey Traffic Control Device, Reckless Driving and Driving without a Valid Drivers License.

The second teen, a 17-year-old was arrested on Sunday and charged with felony eluding and street racing. 

Over the past several weeks since this incident, Northern Nevada Law Enforcement Agencies have seen an increase in illegal street racing on city streets.

Officials say Sparks Police and Reno Police have responded to several reports of vehicles traveling at high rates of speed.

They say due to this, on February 2, through the assistance of a Joining Forces grant, officers with the Sparks Police Department, Reno Police Department, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and Nevada Highway Patrol conducted a multi-agency operation to disrupt and prevent further illegal street racing in Northern Nevada.

Officials say the operation resulted in 46 citations, four arrests, and four towed cars.

Sparks Police want to remind the public that street racing and spectating street racing is dangerous and illegal. 

Location: 

Location: 

Â