Three people were arrested and ten vehicles were impounded Saturday after an illegal street takeover involving approximately 200 ATVs, dirt bikes, and motorcycles traveled from Hauppauge to Brentwood across Suffolk County, according to law enforcement officials.
Route 347 Stunts and the Hauppauge Response
Suffolk County police initiated a crackdown on Saturday afternoon after receiving numerous 911 calls reporting reckless driving and stunts along Route 347 in Hauppauge. The gathering involved an estimated 200 riders on ATVs, dirt bikes, and motorcycles, according to the Suffolk County Police Department. Video footage provided by law enforcement showed scores of off-road vehicles swarming a section of the roadway near the Smith Haven Mall, crowding out traffic from shoulder to shoulder as riders performed wheelies past parked cars.
When officers responded to the initial calls just before 4:30 p.m., they arrested two riders and impounded several vehicles before the large group dispersed from the area, according to local reporting. Hauppauge resident Marge Knoch described the situation to reporters, stating I think it’s getting out of hand
and adding that Definitely get them off the streets.
They’re not worried about people, children, pets, everything that’s out there.
It’s horrible.
Regrouping in Brentwood and the Arrests in Bay Shore
Following the police intervention in Hauppauge, the riders regrouped further south near Motor Parkway and Express Drive South in Brentwood. Highway Patrol and Third Precinct officers tracked the caravan as it continued through local communities toward Bay Shore around 6:30 p.m. Police tracking the group noted that two ATVs became disabled during the transit, prompting their operators to abandon the machines and attempt to flee on foot.
Officers apprehended one of those fleeing operators, 22-year-old Shamir Solomon of Roosevelt, and discovered he was carrying a loaded handgun. Solomon was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, unlawful speed contest, and reckless driving. He was held overnight and scheduled for arraignment in First District Court, according to court and police records.
Authorities also arrested 23-year-old Ava Mongiello of Mount Sinai and 29-year-old Jahkil Arroyo of Central Islip. Both were charged with reckless driving, second-degree reckless endangerment, and unlawfully fleeing a police officer, and were subsequently released on desk appearance tickets.
Broader Enforcement and Community Concerns
The weekend crackdown follows a similar large-scale enforcement operation targeting illegal street takeovers in Suffolk County just over a week prior, which resulted in nine arrests and 12 impounded vehicles following an event in Farmingdale.
I see them in my neighborhood and in other neighborhoods, driving through different towns,
a local resident told reporters, calling the activity dangerous for both the public and the drivers.
Residents suggested that establishing a dedicated recreational park for off-road vehicles could help keep riders off public streets.
Suffolk County police stated that an investigation into how the illegal street takeover was organized remains ongoing. Authorities urged anyone with information or tips regarding the gatherings to contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers.