Two men were arrested in Davenport yesterday evening after a PCSO sergeant spotted them engaged in what appeared to be an illegal street race. According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, the incident occurred at around 7:13 pm near Lake Wilson Road and Town Center Boulevard in Loughman.
The sergeant was patrolling the area when he observed a motorcyclist performing a wheelie on a blue Yamaha sport bike. It wasn't long before the biker proceeded to quickly start racing with a driver in a black 2020 Chevy Camaro as they both traveled west on Ronald Reagan Parkway. Coordinating with other units via radio, the sergeant continued to follow both vehicles from a safe distance, ensuring backup was on its way.
When the Camaro and motorcycle stopped at a traffic light, the sergeant took the opportunity to activate his emergency lights and block the motorcycle, detaining its operator. Additional units arrived shortly after to detain the driver of the Camaro. The two individuals were identified as 21-year-old Aquiles Ortega-Rodriguez and 19-year-old Dereck Castro-Molina of Davenport, and were subsequently taken to the Sheriff's Processing Center.
According to the Sheriff's Office, Ortega-Rodriguez was charged with racing, a third-degree felony (F3), and reckless driving, a first-degree misdemeanor (M1). As Ortega-Rodriguez was found to be in the United States illegally from Venezuela, his charges were enhanced one degree, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has placed a HOLD on him. Meanwhile, Castro-Molina faces charges of racing, a first-degree misdemeanor (M1), and reckless driving, a second-degree misdemeanor (M2). Castro-Molina was also to receive a citation for the wheelie, amounting to a fine of $1,164.
Further background checks highlighted that Castro-Molina had previously been arrested by Haines City Police on December 2, 2025, for driving 106 mph in an area designated with a 55 mph speed limit. This incident occurred after he had obtained his motorcycle in October 2025.
