Boston Police announced the arrest of a Connecticut teenager in connection with an early-morning street takeover in the South End two months ago that resulted in a police cruiser being set on fire.
A 19 year-old of Norwalk, Connecticut, was arrested at his home early Thursday morning and faces charges of burning of a motor vehicle, unlawful possession of fireworks, disturbing the peace, and conspiracy, according to Boston Police.
The incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. on October 5 at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Tremont Street in the South End, according to a Boston Police Department report. More than 100 people blocked the intersection and engaged in illegal street racing and driving donuts, police said.
When officers arrived at the scene, members of the group threw traffic cones, poles and other objects at police, according to the BPD report. People jumped on the hood of a police cruiser, which was then struck by fireworks and set ablaze.
The suspect is the third person arrested in connection with the incident. Two Rhode Island teenagers—William Cantwell, 19, of Warwick, and Julian Bowers, 18, of Cumberland—were arrested at the time and charged with destruction of property, assault and battery on a police officer and related charges.
"You can't come to Boston and think you're going to be involved in criminal behavior and it's going to be tolerated," Boston Police Superintendent-in-Chief Phil Owens said at a press conference Thursday, according to the Boston Herald. "Do not do it. You'll be held accountable, and this is a perfect example of people being held accountable."
Boston Police Superintendent Paul McLaughlin described the investigation as "very intense" and "painstaking," involving a review of hours of body camera footage from the South End incident and other street takeovers that occurred earlier that night outside the city, as well as social media documentation and tips from the public.
McLaughlin said the investigation revealed what he characterized as a "very organized street takeover network" operating throughout New England and beyond.
The suspect was scheduled to be arraigned in Connecticut court on charges of being a fugitive from justice before being extradited to face charges in Roxbury Municipal Court.
The Norwalk CT Police Department, Randolph Police, Massachusetts State Police, the National Insurance Crime Bureau, the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office and the Stamford/Norwalk Judicial State Attorney's Office assisted in the investigation.
The investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Boston Police detectives at (617) 343-5619 or the anonymous CrimeStoppers tip line.