10 ARRESTED: WCSO PUTS THE BRAKES ON STREET RACING IN MIRAMAR BEACH DURING OPERATION BURNOUT
WALTON COUNTY, FLA— An operation focused on street racing results in 10 arrests and more than a dozen citations in Walton County.
On Saturday evening, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office partnered with the Florida Highway Patrol to conduct Operation Burnout, which targeted dangerous driving on Highway 98 in Miramar Beach.
WCSO and FHP collaborated to make 110 traffic stops to address unsafe driving behaviors including speeding, driving under the influence, driving while license suspended, fleeing to elude, reckless driving, possession of narcotics, and street racing.
The operation, which included 15 WCSO deputies and four FHP and ran from 6:00 pm Saturday to 11:00 pm Saturday, yielded 30 traffic citations, one arrest for driving under the influence, six arrests for street racing, one arrest for driving without a license, and one reckless driving arrest. Four vehicles were impounded for 30 days for street racing.
During one of the traffic stops for racing, a vehicle driven by a juvenile suspect driving his girlfriend’s mother’s car fled through the Silversands Outlet Mall parking lot. The pursuit ended when the suspect crashed into a WCSO deputy attempting to stop the car as it exited the parking lot and jumped a median onto Highway 98. There were no injuries as a result of the crash.
In 2024, Senate Bill 1764 was adopted which imposes harsher penalties for those participating in street racing or roadway takeovers. The Bill went into effect July 1st, 2024. This effort was in direct response to the increase in street racing activity in the south end of Walton County over the last few months.
Those who face criminal charges following Operation Burn Out are as follows:
- Abraham Garcia, 17, of Fort Walton Beach – Fleeing and eluding, reckless driving, racing on a public highway
- Jason Perez, 47, of Mary Esther – Racing on a public highway
- JUVENILE, 17, of Fort Walton Beach- Racing on a public highway (passenger)
- JUVENILE, 17, of Fort Walton Beach – Racing on a public highway
- JUVENILE, 17, of Fort Walton Beach- Racing on a public highway (passenger)
- Ricky Smith, 26, of Fort Walton Beach- Racing on a public highway
- Josue Garcia, 20, of Fort Walton Beach – Racing on a public highway (passenger)
- Pedro Jimenez-Ramirez, 48, of Fort Walton Beach – Driving without a license
- Grayden Evans, 25, of Miramar Beach- Reckless driving
- Edwin Santiago, 48, of Miramar Beach – DUI
In accordance with Florida public record laws, the names of minors are only published if they are charged with a felony. While we are choosing not to publish the mug shot of the juvenile who is charged with a felony, his mug shot is available upon request.
“Drivers be warned, if you are caught racing on Walton County roadways you will be without your vehicle for a month,” said Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “We want to extend our thanks to the Florida Highway Patrol who, with their assistance, made this operation a success.”