POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Two men were taken into custody on Thursday following an alleged street race in the Loughman area. According to the investigators, the incident began around 7:13 p.m. near the intersection of Lake Wilson Road and Town Center Boulevard when a sergeant with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office observed a blue Yamaha sport bike performing a wheelie.
Deputies say the motorcyclist then positioned himself behind a black 2020 Chevy Camaro and began revving his engine. Both vehicles proceeded west onto Ronald Reagan Parkway, where they reportedly began racing.
To minimize the risk of a high-speed pursuit, the sergeant followed the vehicles from a distance while coordinating with additional units via radio.
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The race concluded when both the motorcycle and the Camaro entered a left-turn lane and stopped for a red light. At that point, the sergeant activated his emergency lights and blocked the motorcycle’s path, while arriving backup units detained the driver of the Camaro.
The driver of the Chevy Camaro was identified as 21-year-old Aquiles Ortega-Rodriguez. He faces charges of third-degree felony racing and first-degree misdemeanor reckless driving.
Authorities noted that Ortega-Rodriguez is an illegal immigrant from Venezuela; consequently, his charges were enhanced by one degree, and a formal hold has been placed on him by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
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The motorcyclist was identified as 19-year-old Dereck Castro-Molina of Davenport.
He was charged with racing and reckless driving. Additionally, Castro-Molina received a $1,164 citation for the initial wheelie. Records indicate that Castro-Molina purchased the motorcycle in October 2025 and had previously been arrested in December for allegedly traveling 106 mph in a 55 mph zone.
Both individuals were transported to the Polk County Sheriff’s Processing Center for booking.
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