JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A newly obtained arrest report is shedding light on a recent street takeover and street racing arrest on Beach Boulevard.
Jonah Griffin, 23, was booked into the Duval County jail just after 2 a.m. on June 28 and charged with violating Florida’s street race law — specifically, operating a motor vehicle in a street takeover, a third-degree felony.
What started as a car meet
According to the arrest report, JSO assets were staged near the Wawa gas station at the corner of Beach Blvd. and Southside Blvd. on the night of June 27 due to a pre-planned car meet that detectives anticipated could escalate.
A detective responded to the area after receiving multiple citizen complaints about loud revving, loud music and people flashing firearms while standing on top of vehicle hoods in the parking lot.
More than 15 vehicles were blocking access to all fuel pumps, and more than 20 spectators were present, the report states. At one point, a white Dodge Challenger attempted a burnout but lost control and crashed into another vehicle in the crowd.
The alleged race on Beach Boulevard
The detective observed a red Dodge Challenger — JSO says was later confirmed to be driven by Griffin — and a black Dodge Charger exit the Wawa parking lot and pull onto Beach Boulevard heading westbound.
The two vehicles then approached a red light at the intersection of Beach Boulevard and Grove Park Boulevard, where both cars allegedly accelerated at high speed when the light turned green. A detective reported hearing both sets of tires screeching.
The detective continued to follow both vehicles as they crossed the bridge at Pottsburg Creek, where the cars “bottomed out” going over the bump and sparks flew from beneath both vehicles.
Arrest at Riviera Manor Drive
The vehicles eventually turned north on University Boulevard, then east on Bartram Road South and south on Hickman Road before stopping in front of a residence on Riviera Manor Drive.
Officers coordinated over the radio and conducted a takedown, detaining all occupants of both vehicles.
Griffin was identified as the driver of the red Challenger. He was read his constitutional rights and confirmed he was driving the vehicle but denied racing, according to the report.
A Taurus G3 9mm semiautomatic handgun, tan in color, was recovered and turned in to the property room. The report lists it as found property connected to the street takeover charge.
Griffin’s red 2016 Dodge Challenger was towed from the scene.
Prior conviction
The arrest report notes that Griffin was adjudicated guilty of racing on a highway on Sept. 25, 2022.
Operation Braking News
JSO made 22 arrests in connection with “Operation Braking News,” a crackdown on racing at car meet-up events around Jacksonville the weekend of June 27 and 28.
Sheriff T.K. Waters said the operation was spurred by citizen complaints and the high number of traffic deaths the city has seen this year.
“Time and time again, citizens approach me at events, while I’m out running errands, while I’m out with my family, reporting reckless driving,” Waters said during a news conference Tuesday announcing the results of the operation. “Jacksonville citizens are tired of their roadways being rendered unsafe, and they have empowered me to use the resources of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office to catch those who violate traffic laws.”