A large-scale street takeover involving approximately 200 individuals on ATVs and dirt bikes caused significant disruption across three Long Island towns on Saturday. The event featured reckless stunts and led to multiple police pursuits, culminating in three arrests and the impoundment of at least 10 vehicles.
The incidents began Saturday evening with numerous 911 calls reporting dangerous driving and stunts along Route 347 in Hauppauge, Suffolk County police stated. Video footage captured large groups of riders, many with their faces obscured by masks or bandanas, performing stunts in both lanes of traffic. Riders were observed doing wheelies and speeding through residential streets while onlookers filmed them, according to reports.
Police intervened in Hauppauge, breaking up the meetup and arresting Ava Mongiello, 23, and Jahkil Arroyo, 29. Several vehicles were seized during this operation. However, a portion of the group reportedly regrouped and moved toward Brentwood and then Bay Shore.
Around 6:30 p.m., officers encountered the riders again in Bay Shore. The pursuit ended when two ATVs broke down, and their riders fled on foot. Police apprehended Shamir Solomon, 22, after a chase, discovering he was carrying a loaded firearm.
Mongiello and Arroyo were charged with reckless driving, reckless endangerment, and unlawfully fleeing a police officer. They were issued desk appearance tickets and released. Solomon faces charges including criminal possession of a weapon, unlawful speed contest, and reckless driving. The weapon charge alone could carry a prison sentence of up to 15 years if convicted. Solomon was held overnight and arraigned Sunday in Central Islip, where he pleaded not guilty and was released on $10,000 bail.