Costa Mesa police put brakes on drag racers

James Meier

COSTA MESA -- Police rounded up about 34 people involved in a

drag-racing contest in the city early Monday.

Costa Mesa police arrested four, described to be in their late teens

and early 20s, on suspicion of engaging in a speed contest at Airway and

Paularino avenues at 1:20 a.m., said Costa Mesa Police Department Lt.

Dale Birney.

Police have known such activities have been occurring in the area for

at least six months and have monitored the situation, Birney said. Monday

was the first time officers caught the racers in action, he said.

Arrested on suspicion of engaging in a speed contest were Gustavo

Cortez, 20, of Anaheim; Hung Pham, 18, of Garden Grove; Christian

Prichard, 22, of Lakewood; and Manuel Rodriguez, 18, of Santa Ana.

Punishment for such a crime can include imprisonment for one to 90 days

in county jail, or a fine of no less than $355 and no more than $1,000,

Birney said.

According to the police, Cortez owns a 1999 Chevy Camaro, Pham has a

1996 Honda Prelude, Prichard owns a 1990 Acura Integra and Rodriguez has

a 2001 Ford Mustang.

Meanwhile, a group of about 30 people assisted in and watched the

contest, Birney said. To catch them, police surrounded the group by

blocking off streets in the area, he said.

“They had no place to go but into us,” Birney said.

The assistants were cited for aiding and abetting the race while the

onlookers were cited for other vehicle codes, Birney said. Those cited

for aiding and abetting may be imprisoned one to 90 days or receive a

fine of no more than $50, or both, Birney said.