Five are arrested as more than ONE HUNDRED ATVs descend on Connecticut city for latest street takeover that’s plagued the region: Spectators shut down major road for high-speed races
- About 100 people dangerously used all-terrain vehicles Saturday, causing hazardous conditions on the roads in Hartford, Connecticut
- A total of five people were arrested during the noisy street takeover
Five people have been arrested during an attempted street takeover involving nearly 100 ATVs in Hartford, Connecticut.
Officers received a number of complaints on Saturday evening around 6pm about a number of ATVs ‘causing dangerous situations’.
Five group members were taken into custody by police, who also reportedly found and recovered a gun, four ATVs and one towed vehicle.
Street takeovers involve noisy crowds blocking roads, disrupting traffic, or in some cases, illegal street racing.
Five people were arrested during an attempted street takeover involving 100 ATVs in Hartford, Connecticut
Of the five suspects, two suspects have been identified by the police. Weslye Santiago, 26, of New Britain (left) and Angel Figuera (right)
About 100 people dangerously used all-terrain vehicles Saturday, causing dangerous road conditions, according to police.
Police were able to lead the crowd to different parts of the city, where they then arrested the drivers.
Of the five suspects, two suspects have been identified by the police.
Both suspects were transported to the Hartford Police Detention Facility where they were processed and charged.
Weslye Santiago, 26, of New Britain, was charged with reckless driving, prohibited acts and obstructing an officer, according to police.
Angel Figuera, 33, of Manchester, was charged with reckless driving, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, misuse of license plates and having weapons in a motor vehicle, police said.
According to police, the ATVs were towed to the police impound lot in Hartford.
The origins of how the street takeover came about or how it was organized is unknown. Four ATVs and a handgun were recovered by police.
Now that warmer weather is approaching, police say street takeovers will become more common.
Police were able to lead the crowd to different parts of the city, where they then arrested the drivers
Police are urging those caught in a street takeover not to confront the crowd. Instead, they recommend that you turn around and find an alternate route
Jerry Williams, a Hartford transplant originally from California, told it Fox 61 that street takeovers are a problem nationally.
“Out there they call it the sideshow, where they just take over an intersection and a street and sometimes even the highway,” Williams said. “So when I come here all over the country to see the same thing, I think ‘oh here we go again.’
Williams said he was previously caught in the middle of a street takeover in Hartford.
“I’ve been caught in traffic a few times and it’s hard to watch because you see these young people being reckless and you know, if they keep doing what they’re doing, it could end up really bad for them. Willems said.
“I hope that one day people who are part of this will wise up and say, ‘we have to stop this.’
Police are urging those caught in a street takeover not to confront the crowd. Instead, they recommend that you turn around and find an alternate route.