NEW HAVEN, Conn. — A group of law enforcement officers in New Haven had a busy evening on Friday, as they recovered a stolen vehicle from Cromwell, arrested several Wolcott residents and shut down a street takeover in the city.
According to a release from the New Haven Police Department, officers responded to the intersection of Shelton Avenue and Bassett Street around 11:15 p.m., where a blue Crown Victoria was reportedly surrounded by a circle of spectators.
New Haven police note that there have been multiple thefts of municipal Crown Victorias in recent weeks reported across Connecticut, and a similar vehicle was involved in several incidents such as shutting down Interstate 95 on the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge on Oct. 19.
A detail from the New Haven Police Department, joined by officers from other local agencies and the Connecticut State Police, were assigned to prevent street takeovers and target those involved.
When they came across and attempted to stop the Crown Victoria, the driver began to flee, New Haven police report.
Stop sticks and other measures were successfully deployed, as officers pursued the car until its right rear tire fell off at the entrance to Interstate 95 northbound.
The driver, later identified as 18-year-old David Reyes, exited the car, began running, and was apprehended during a foot chase, according to New Haven police. Two other occupants of the car who did not attempt to run were also arrested, including Maria Laguer, 20, and Ariana Sanchez-Harrison, 20. New Haven police say all three individuals are from Wolcott.
According to New Haven police, the Crown Victoria was reported stolen from Cromwell. Reyes was arrested and charged with racing/spectating, larceny of a motor vehicle, interfering with police, reckless driving, engaging in a pursuit, failure to obey officer signals, first-degree reckless endangerment and third-degree criminal trespass. He is reportedly in custody on a $100,000 bond.
New Haven police say officers proceeded to shut down a street takeover that was occurring at Central Avenue and Yale Avenue, as the cars involved were doing stunts in the intersection. When officers arrived, the cars began to leave. Stop sticks were deployed, and several vehicles had their tires deflated. However, officers chose not to pursue them in the interest of safety.
New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson said in the release that the department is not going to tolerate this kind of criminal behavior.
“Street takeovers are extremely dangerous to the public, as well as to participants, and we will be continuing our details targeting them,” Jacobson said. “We will be using all available resources, including stop sticks, drones and video surveillance to identify those involved. As a reminder and warning, it is illegal to participate in a street takeover, even as a spectator, and you are risking arrest, having your tires deflated and your vehicle towed if you are involved.”
Residents can report street takeovers, or other criminal activity, to New Haven police by dialing 2203-946-6333.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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