A July ride-out involving roughly 200 vehicles left traffic jammed, motorists boxed in, and Newington Police with a much longer investigation ahead.
The riders eventually left town. The case did not.
The Newington Police Department announced Monday that 18 people have been arrested following its investigation into the July 12 ride-out. Additional warrants have already been granted, and police expect more arrests.
The defendants announced so far range from 19 to 48 years old. Ten of the 18 are at least 30, an age spread that quickly became one of the dominant reactions beneath the department’s Facebook post.
Not So Fast
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Neighboring law enforcement agencies alerted Newington officers at about 5:50 p.m. that a large group of mopeds, ATVs, UTVs, dirt bikes and motorcycles was traveling from the Hartford area toward town.
Investigators watched the group enter Berlin Turnpike at Prospect Street, where riders performed wheelies, disregarded traffic signals and spread across enough of the intersection to stop uninvolved motorists.
Northbound traffic backed up along the turnpike, while drivers attempting to enter from East Robbins Avenue could not continue.
As the group moved south, several riders left the pavement, crossed grass and commercial property, and cut across driveways and entrances. Others traveled south in the northbound lanes.
One motorist later told investigators that the group engulfed his vehicle, nearly struck it several times, and generated multiple near-collisions around him.
Officers attempted traffic stops, but members of the group fled, police said.
Busted
Jose L. Arce, 48; Eduardo Flores, 41; Jose Angel Luna, 41; Barbara Diaz, 38; Zulmarie Gonzalez-Alvarado, 38; Jose M. Apote, 35; Rigoberto Mateo-Silva, 34; Cashawn Hopeton Brown, 30; Matthew Lee Williams, 30; Candis Martinez, 30; Bryan R. Ardon, 29; Jan Javier Sanchez, 29; Alex M. Vazquez, 26; Javon Dowd, 24; Wesley Coss Mendez, 23; Victor Chevere Sanabria, 21; Angel Luis Rios, 20; and Angel Luis Santana, 19 were named in the department’s release.
All 18 face a street-takeover charge. Depending on the defendant, additional charges include reckless driving, second-degree reckless endangerment, breach of peace, operating an ATV on public property, operating under suspension and operating without a license.
Diaz also faces a charge of engaging police in pursuit.
Bonds range from $1,500 to $5,000, with court dates scheduled between Oct. 1 and Oct. 8.
Police said people identified during the broader investigation include individuals from Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. All 18 defendants announced Monday have Connecticut hometowns, leaving the release unclear about whether the out-of-state individuals are among people still being sought.
No Clear Lane Through
One week after the Newington ride-out, a separate group of ATV, dirt-bike, scooter and motorcycle riders surrounded an SUV on Interstate 95 near West Haven.
Authorities have not connected the two groups.
CT Insider reviewed police dispatch traffic from the West Haven encounter and reported that a dispatcher said people were trying to open the moving SUV. Traffic-camera images showed riders clustered around the vehicle, with people on foot leaning through its open driver’s window.
Another voice on the recording reported people “punching into the car.”
A dirt bike was then reported struck as the SUV continued moving. Connecticut State Police investigated the confrontation.
With dozens or hundreds of riders occupying lanes, intersections and shoulders, an ordinary driver can quickly run out of predictable ways to move. A rider can enter the vehicle’s path as the motorist searches for an opening, while an attempt to escape a narrowing gap can put someone on two wheels directly in danger.
Once the crowd and driver begin reacting to each other, the margin for error contracts quickly.
The Crowd Counts, Too
Connecticut expanded its street-takeover laws in 2025 through Public Act 25-80, allowing municipalities to penalize people who organize, participate in, or intentionally attend the events.
The law also broadened vehicle impoundment and forfeiture provisions. Certain forfeited ATVs, dirt bikes and mini-motorcycles can be destroyed rather than returned to circulation through a public auction.
Florida’s street-takeover law reaches further than the rider performing the stunt. Covered conduct can include intentionally blocking traffic, knowingly riding as a passenger during prohibited activity, and using a vehicle for the purpose of filming participants. The statute separately addresses spectators.
Depending on the conduct and circumstances, violations can bring misdemeanor or felony charges, substantial fines, and driver’s-license revocations.
All parties are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.