AUSTIN (KXAN) — Officials held a conference Thursday to provide an update on the Austin “street takeover” investigation for incidents that occurred Feb. 18-19, which has now been named Operation Burnout.
The Austin Police Department said 17 more individuals were charged—with an additional 38 criminal charges. In total, 24 individuals have been charged in connection to the investigation.
Officials said photos and videos found on various social media sites have helped with the investigation.
According to officials, two of the individuals were identified as juveniles, but their names were not shared.
According to police, 11 of the 17 have been taken into custody, and officials continue to search for the remaining six.
Video of the full press conference is below.
“The suspects that I’m talking about today range in age from 32 years of age at the oldest down to 15 years of age at the youngest—these were principally the organizers of the event and those who are most involved,” APD Chief Joseph Chacon said.
Charges for the individuals included:
seven counts of obstruction of a highway
nine counts of obstruction of a highway with reckless driving exhibition
seven counts of engaging in organized criminal activity
seven counts of deadly conduct
two counts of reckless driving
two counts of evading in a motor vehicle
one count of unlawful use of fireworks
one count of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle
one count of unlawful possession of a firearm
one count of theft of a firearm
Police said there were a total of seven takeover events during the incident in February.
“These events were as far south as the 4800 block of US Highway 290 West and as far north as Howard Lane at Heather Wild Boulevard,” Chief Chacon said.
This coordinated, intensive effort happened as APD faces what some have called a critical staffing shortage, so we asked Chief Chacon how the department was able to prioritize this case amid that.
According to APD, the investigation is not finished.
APD, Texas Department of Public Safety and Travis County District Attorney’s Office participated in the Thursday afternoon conference.
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