Uncontrollable street takeover sees participants throwing fireworks at cop cars as Connecticut authorities try to identify participants in gatherings that have run rampant across the state
Out-of-control street takeovers that drew up to 1,500 cars from multiple states swept through at least four Connecticut towns this weekend, leaving one officer injured.
An officer was hospitalized after being attacked while trying to complete a takeover in a Milton car park, where police were pelted with fireworks.
Police say the group was responsible for other street takeovers across the state, including in Derby and New Haven, with up to 1,500 people taking part in the rallies.
Shocking video from the New Haven rally shows attendees throwing fireworks at officers and bystanders as flashing lasers illuminate the sky.
Street takeovers are large gatherings of drivers, often filled with stunts and other chaos. The events have become increasingly common in the US, with other cities reporting problems with takeovers in recent weeks.
At least four towns in Connecticut were rocked by terrifying street takeovers this weekend
Police say the group was responsible for other street takeovers across the state, including in Derby and New Haven – with up to 1,500 people taking part in the rallies
Bodycam footage taken in Derby, where the group passed, showed chaotic scenes with attendees standing on the roadway and firing missiles at police
'It is scary. Very scary,” said North Haven local Sandy Longobardi NBC. 'You can't go anywhere. You don't know what they are doing. Do they break things? Do they hurt other people?'
Police said the group started in Shelton and traveled to North Haven, Orange, Derby and then back to Shelton as police chased them in an attempt to disperse them.
“Some vehicles traveled from New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Vermont for this event,” Shelton Detective Richard Bango said. CT Insider.
'When the vehicles arrived at the Research Drive business car parks they were turned away. The group then attempted to use social media to plan alternate parking spots to gather along Bridgeport Avenue.”
Video taken in Derby showed fireworks raining down on police and exploding through a smoke-filled haze in the street.
Shelton police said they learned a takeover was planned Saturday.
They coordinated a multi-agency response, including the FBI and Connecticut State Police.
Video taken in Derby showed fireworks raining down on police and exploding through a smoke-filled haze in the street
“Some vehicles traveled from New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Vermont for this event,” Shelton Detective Richard Bango said.
“We started here and worked out the plan so that when they got here and moved with them, we were ready,” Shelton Police Chief Shawn Sequeira said. WTHN.
“Once they are collected, that's a completely different situation,” he added.
Six people were arrested in West Haven in the early hours of Saturday after a takeover in which attendees performed donuts and other dangerous stunts in vehicles.
Police have arrested and charged four adults and two juveniles after fireworks were thrown at officers and people refused to comply with orders to disperse.
Police responded to numerous 911 calls and reported “people standing in the roadway and cars doing 'doughnuts' in the street,” according to a statement.
The events in Connecticut came after Indianapolis was rocked by a similar event that drew more than 500 cars from several states – with some doing dangerous stunts as people hung out of windows.
The massacre ended with gunfire as police tried to disperse the gathering and the arrest of 23-year-old Sebastian Jimenez after he injured two officers after leading them on a chase.
The city has seen a worrying rise in takeovers, often involving an influx of motorists gathering illegally to perform risky maneuvers in cars and other vehicles.
“It's undesirable to the community and it's a very dangerous activity,” said Lorenzo Lewis, police chief of the Northwest District in Indianapolis.