Suffolk County Police arrested 15 individuals and impounded seven vehicles following a series of illegal street takeovers across Long Island over the weekend. The Suffolk County Police Department’s Street Takeover Task Force engaged in a multi-town pursuit to disrupt the events before apprehending the group early Saturday morning.
The operation began Friday night when police attempted to prevent takeovers in Islip and Patchogue, but the individuals dispersed and regrouped. Their efforts culminated in Medford just after midnight on Saturday, where a street was shut down for drag racing, donuts, burnouts, and other dangerous stunts.
Police had been tracking the group since Friday and moved in on the Medford takeover once it was established. Officials reported that the reckless drivers had completely shut down Woodside Avenue. Photos released by the police department show a vehicle performing donuts in the middle of the street, with smoke billowing from its tires.
Of the 15 individuals arrested, five were 18-year-olds. The arrested individuals hailed from Nassau County, Suffolk County, and New York City. Those from Nassau County include Alexander Lopes, Marvin Chavez, and Ahad Hotaki, all 18, from Hicksville; Djurabe Edmond and Jose Mendozagua, both 19, from Westbury; Declan Tymon, 18, of Lynbrook; Johnathan Edouard, 22, of Roosevelt; and Jeremy Geevarghese, 22, of North Bellmore.
Suffolk County residents arrested were Amanda Tucker, 18, and Marcello Martinez, 21, both from North Babylon; Frank Spingola, 21, of Deer Park; and Joseph Wheeler, 23, of East Islip. Three individuals from New York City were also apprehended: Zachaly Torresduran, 20, and Borys Lozanosanchez, 20, both of Manhattan, and Muzamil Hotaki, 20, of Flushing, Queens.
Multiple traffic violations were issued in connection with the incident. The police department stated that the task force had been actively monitoring the group's movements throughout the weekend. The number of attendees or participants in the takeovers was not specified.
