5 arrested after more than 200 cars take over street near Cherrydale (2024)

GREENVILLE — Deputies broke up a massive street takeover in the middle of an intersection near the Cherrydale Shopping Center earlier this month where more than 200 cars were said to be driving erratically, brandishing firearms and holding up traffic.

Five men were arrested June 7 for allegedly organizing the takeover on social media, Deputy Jeremy Holt with the Greenville County Sheriff's Office told The Post and Courier.

Quavaico Gaines, Quaren Gaines, Jaylon Jones, Demetrius McCuen and Gabriel Hubbard were all charged with several counts each of engaging in or inciting a riot and conspiracy, according to an arrest report.

Street takeovers have become a common trend on social media in South Carolina and across the country. Similar takeovers in Greenville have been recorded where attendees block traffic, shoot off fireworks into the air and perform burnouts.

Holt said he heard of phone calls for meetups in parking lots before but had not seen a takeover of this size recently. Some deputies said there were at least 150 cars, while another deputy said there were as many as 250 cars.

"As soon as police arrived, the crowd dispersed quickly," Holt said. "Some took off into oncoming traffic; others swerved in between cars."

Deputies found a video of the takeover online and identified suspected organizers, who were charged.

Quavaico Gaines was charged last year after a similar incident. FOX Carolina reports Gaines was arrested after Oconee County Sheriff's deputies responded to a parking lot where Gaines and others were doing burnouts, firing gunshots and fueling a large fire ring.