Police arrest 2 more in street racing crackdown

Authorities say one man tossed fireworks at police.

Atlanta police have charged two men in an illegal street racing event two months ago, including an alleged race organizer accused of throw- ing fireworks at responding officers.

Police were called to Northside Drive near the I-75 on-ramp Oct. 18 after receiving reports of cars and pedestrians blocking the road to lay drag, Atlanta police spokesman Sgt. John

Chafee said in a news release. “Responding officers were hampered by vehicles and pedestrians deliberately blocking their way,” he said. “As officers attempted to reach the scene, someone in the crowd threw fireworks at them.”

Most of those who took part in the event managed to flee the intersection before backup arrived, but police were able to get photos

and video of several peo- ple involved, authorities said.

On Tuesday, police arrested 21-year-old Adolfo Robledo after identifying him as the man who threw fireworks at officers. Cha- fee said. He was taken into custody in Ellenwood after detectives called his family members and told them he was wanted.

During a news conference with local media Wednesday morning, Interim police Chief Rodney Bryant said investigators believe Robledo was “one of the organizers of one of the largest street racing events that we’ve had in this city.”

had identified him for a period of time,” the chief said. “He was aware that we were after him.”

Robledo is charged with felony obstruction and prohibited use of fireworks. He remains at the Fulton County Jail without bond, online records show.

Investigators also identified Kristopher Repka as one of the bystanders and obtained warrants charging him with misdemeanor obstruction and traffic vio- lations.

Repka was arrested in Douglas County and extra- dited to Atlanta before being released on a signature bond earlier this month, jail records show. It wasn’t the first time the Sandy Springs man has been charged with taking part in illegal street racing.

In September, the 23-yearold was arrested in DeKalb Co u nty after i njur i ng a bystander wh i le doi ng doughnuts on I-85 South under Spaghetti Junction and then leaving the scene, police said previously.

He was charged with reckless driving, hit-and-run, laying drag, not having a license plate and driving the wrong way on a one-way road, jail records show. At the time, investigators described Repka as “an active member of the Atlanta racing scene.”