Cops Crack Down On Weekend Newhallville, Westville Street Takeovers

NEW HAVEN, CT —It was late Frdaiy night when a detail from the New Haven Police Department, along with officers from area agencies and the CT State Police, was assigned to proactively prevent street takeovers and target people involved.

According to police spokesperson Officer Christian Bruckhart, at around 11:15 p.m., officers went to the intersection of Shelton Avenue and Bassett Street and saw a blue Crown Victoria in the center of a circle of spectators.

"There have been thefts of municipal Crown Victorias in recent weeks reported by various towns in the state and a similar vehicle has been involved in several incidents, including shutting down I95 on the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge on October 19, 2024," Bruckhart noted.

Cops tried to stop the Crown Victoria, but the driver began fleeing from police, Bruckhart said. With stop sticks deployed successfully, officers began pursuing the car as the driver "continued to flee until the right rear tire came off the car at the entrance to 91-N."

Police said the driver, David Reyes 18, of Wolcott, got out of the car and ran before being caught. The Crown Victoria was reported stolen from the town of Cromwell, Bruckhart said, adding Reyes was charged with Racing/ Spectating, Larceny of a Motor Vehicle, Interfering With Police, Reckless Driving, Engaging In Pursuit, Failure to Obey Officer Signal, Reckless Endangerment 1st Degree and Criminal Trespass 3rd Degree. He is currently in custody on a $100,000 bond.

Also arrested were two passengers in the Crown Vic "who did not attempt to run," police said: Maria Laguer, 20, and Ariana Sanchez-Harrison, 20, both of Wolcott.

After the Newhallville incident, across town in Westville, Bruckhart said police shut down another street takeover in the area of Central Avenue and Yale Avenue.

"The cars involved in the takeover were doing stunts in the intersection, but as officers approached, they began to leave," Bruckhart said. "Stop sticks were deployed, and several vehicles had their tires deflated as they left the area. In the interest of safety, they were not pursued."

New Haven Chief of Police Karl Jacobson said the city and its police force won't stand for street takeovers.

"We are not going to tolerate this kind of 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. "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."