HARLINGEN — Cameron County Constable Deputy Israel Garza quickly flipped on his sirens and sped down Tyler Avenue.
Garza was in pursuit of two cars that were racing down the city’s main thoroughfare.
Just seconds earlier.
At the stop light, a red Mustang driven by Christopher Melendez began to spin his rear tires.
When the light turned green, Melendez and Jonathan Torres, who was driving a pickup truck accelerated their vehicles reportedly reaching speeds of 60 mph.
But Garza caught up to them.
Both drivers were arrested before their race ended.
“He had to get in front of both vehicles in order to stop them,” said Eddie Solis, County Constable, Pct. 5. about the arresting deputy. “Or one of the drivers would have got away.”
According to Solis, the race began on Sunday around 12:29 a.m.
Harlingen police were not involved in the arrest.
Unknowingly, to the drivers, the Cameron County Deputy was behind the two vehicles at a red light at the Tyler Avenue and Third Street intersection.
“It’s dangerous,” Solis said about street racing. “We are just trying to prevent a crash or someone getting hurt.”
The drivers were arrested without incident and no injuries were reported.
Both men have been charged with a Class B misdemeanor for racing on a highway. This is punishable with a fine up to $2,000 and 180 days in jail.
The drivers could also have their license suspended for up to one year and be required to complete 10 hours of community service.
“This has not been the first arrest for racing,” Solis said. “We would like to remind people that you could be arrested for street racing.
“It’s against the law, and also dangerous.”
