3 people arrested after 200-rider street takeover travels from Hauppauge to Brentwood
Police say the group disbanded but later regrouped near Motor Parkway and Express Drive South in Brentwood.
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Three people were arrested and 10 vehicles were impounded Saturday after Suffolk County police cracked down on an illegal street takeover involving an estimated 200 ATVs, dirt bikes and motorcycles that stretched across several Suffolk communities.
"I think it's getting out of hand," Hauppauge resident Marge Knoch said.
Police say they first received numerous 911 calls around 4:20 p.m. reporting riders doing stunts and recklessly driving along Route 347 in Hauppauge.
When officers responded, they arrested two riders and impounded several vehicles before the group dispersed.
Investigators say the riders later regrouped near Motor Parkway and Express Drive South in Brentwood before continuing through Bay Shore around 6:30 p.m.
As the group traveled through Bay Shore, police say two ATVs became disabled. The riders abandoned the vehicles and fled on foot.
One of those riders, 22-year-old Shamir Solomon, of Roosevelt, was apprehended after officers allegedly discovered he was carrying a loaded handgun.
Solomon was charged with criminal possession of a weapon, unlawful speed contest and reckless driving. He was arraigned Sunday morning, pleaded not guilty and is also facing speeding-related charges. He is due back in court on Friday, July 31.
"Definitely get them off the streets. They're not worried about people, children, pets, everything that's out there. It's horrible," Knoch said.
Police also arrested 23-year-old Ave Mongiella, of Mount Sinai, and 29-year-old Jahkil Arroyo, of Central Islip. Both are charged with reckless driving, reckless endangerment and unlawfully fleeing a police officer. They were each issued desk appearance tickets.
The arrests come just over a week after another large-scale enforcement operation targeting illegal street takeovers in Suffolk County.
Last Friday, nine people were arrested and 12 vehicles were impounded following an illegal racing and street takeover event in Farmingdale.
"I see them in my neighborhood and in other neighborhoods, driving through different towns," Donohue said. "It's dangerous for both the public and the drivers."
Donohue, believes riders should have a designated place to use their vehicles instead of public roads.
"I think there should be a park somewhere if they want to drive dirt bikes or four-wheelers. They should be driving there, not on public streets," he said.
