WEST HAVEN, Conn. — Multiple people have been arrested...and police plan on holding more accountable...after hundreds took part in a ‘street takeover’ on Connecticut roadways on Sunday. Much of the organized crime event happened in West Haven, where a crash took place and an officer was injured during an arrest.
Police said more than 400 illegal ATV's, dirt bikes, and some legal vehicles took part in the takeover, which they said went through several towns and cities throughout New Haven County.
West Haven Police started getting 911 calls around 5:45 p.m. on Sunday.
“They were completely impeding emergency services from being able to get to locations to help people. And that’s the main issue that we are trying to address," said Sgt. Patrick Buturla with the West Haven Police Department.
As police were responding to the incident, two dirt bikes crashed in front of a home on Morgan Ln. Police arrested the two operators, both from out of state. The suspects were found with illegal handguns and drugs.
“This isn’t just dirt bikes. These are two grown adults in possession of firearms and narcotics, operating illegal bikes on our roadways," Sgt. Buturla said.
Hector Vasquesz of Passaic, New Jersey, and Brian Dejesus-Melendez were hit with 10 charges combined, and arraigned in Milford Superior Court on Monday.
Vasquesz is facing charges of Reckless Driving, Operating an Unregistered Motor Vehicle, and Carrying Pistol Without a Permit. Dejesus-Melendez was charged with Interfering with an Officer, Possession of a Pistol/ Revolver, Carrying a Pistol Without a Permit, Failure to Insure a Motor Vehicle, Failure to Display Plates, and Possession of a Controlled substance.
Authorities said there was a significant struggle to arrest Dejesus-Melendez, but they were able to put the rider in handcuffs. During the scuffle, a police Sgt. injured his shoulder. He was taken to the hospital by ambulance. As of Monday night, he is now home and in recovery.
Sgt. Buturla said that was frustrating, and they plan on making more arrests.
"It didn’t end yesterday. The investigation is ongoing and our intention is to identify and hold people accountable," Sgt. Buturla said.
Viewers sent FOX61 video of the incident on Woodmont Road and Morgan Ln.
“It’s not just about people taking over a street, it’s very intimidating. It’s about people feeling safe in their own neighborhoods," said Kim-Marie Mullin, who witnessed the takeover in West Haven.
Mullin watched and recorded video as the hundreds of riders sped past her on Morgan Ln. She said some even tried to take her phone out of her hands.
“I just don’t feel safe anymore," Mullin said.
Mullin witnessed the crash in front of the home. She said the homeowner came home to the whole thing, shocked and frightened.
"She couldn’t believe what she found in her driveway. She works in the city and she came home and she was absolutely shocked and horrified," Mullin said.
Mullin said around eight West Haven cop cars, as well as the fire department responded. But at a certain point, they were outnumbered.
“I just do believe that if they put some harsher penalties to these crimes, maybe it’ll be a deterrent. Something has to be done. It’s only getting worse," Mullin said. She believes state legislators need to do more to stop this from happening in the future.
“We really need Hartford to take a closer look at this because with drugs, and guns, and all of these hundreds of people, it’s a formula for disaster," Mullin said.
And the takeover didn't just stay in West Haven. New Haven's Police Chief, Karl Jacobson, said it spilled into his city on Sunday, too. All at the same time that NHPD officers were running an ATV detail, as they do every so often.
“Our Lt. that was running that detail said they were going in and in and out of the town, going to other towns, they shut down Rt. 15 for a little while," Chief Jacobson said. "So we were monitoring it and trying to make arrests all day.”
Jacobson said they made a handful of arrests and seized ATV's as well. He also mentioned there was a "bad crash" involving an ATV during the takeover.
“It’s unsafe for the riders, the public, and the officers. So sometimes the only way an officer can get somebody is to drag them off the machine and then the machine goes forward without a rider," Jacobson said. “We’re slowly getting there. But we want to get to the point where they make it clear to not even come to New Haven county at all.”
Street takeovers have been happening around the state. There is a task force in the Hartford area to investigate these takeovers and arrest those who are responsible.
Street takeovers are when large groups come together to block roads and engage in riot like behavior.
Back in May in Meriden, a group of people damaged a police car during a street takeover. Dash cam video showed that group of people swarming the officer's car.
Also in May in Tolland, riders blocked an interstate and jumped on top of a woman's car. Police continue to make arrests months later for those involved in the incident.
West Haven Police said it appears this was an organized event. They are continuing to investigate this case and make arrests.
While some cars involved in the street takeover are street legal, this is an illegal activity because riders block lanes and roads while causing traffic disruptions and chaos.
On Monday evening at around 5:53 p.m., Troop G responded to a report of a group of approximately 15 motorcycles performing stunts on I-95 southbound in the area of Exit 46 in New Haven. Responding troopers observed the group at a location off of the highway and the group immediately dispersed upon the arrival of troopers. FOX61 is still waiting to confirm whether or not it is related to the massive street takeover.
Anyone with any information is asked to call police.
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