BERLIN, Conn. — A "street race takeover" on the Route 571 connector in Berlin led to seven arrests early Sunday, according to Connecticut State Police.
At 1:55 a.m., troopers from Troop H in Hartford went to the Polish Legion Highway for a report of a "mass vehicle gathering," state police said.
Multiple vehicles attempted the takeover by blocking the roadway, according to state police. After troopers dispersed the first group, they later cleared a second gathering.
At 4:20 a.m., dispatched troopers went back to the highway and found that the highway was shut down by multiple people involved in a "street takeover event," state police said. Several in the group ignored troopers' directions to stop along the shoulder and continued engaging in an "aggressive and reckless vehicle operation."
State police said troopers used stop sticks to deflate the tires of multiple involved vehicles.
A misdemeanor summons was issued to six people for spectating a street race, including Jeremiah Morrero, 23, of Bridgeport, Alexander Crespo, 39, of Bridgeport, Ivelis Valentin, 27, of Bridgeport, Jezne Serrano, 24, of Bridgeport, Lewis Colon, 21, of Bridgeport and Jamileth Flores, 27, of New Haven, according to state police. They are all expected in New Britain Superior Court in September.
One driver, Kevin Correa-Martinez, 24, of Meriden, took off from the scene despite troopers' directions to pull over. After troopers used stop sticks on his vehicle, they later found him on a side street and took him into custody.
Correa-Martinez is facing charges of reckless endangerment in the second degree, disobeying signal of officer, failure to carry operator license, reckless driving, wager on a highway/street takeover and improper parking on highway. He was held on a $10,000 bond and is expected to appear at New Britain Superior Court on Sept. 20.
Sean Humphrey is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at shumphrey@fox61.com
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