Fall River police arrest 5 after street ‘takeover’ blocks hospital access
UPDATE: At least 4 street 'takeovers' across Mass. led to violent police confrontations
Fall River police arrested five people during a street "takeover" early Sunday morning, after hundreds of people blocked roads throughout the city.
Police responded to multiple reports of reckless driving, street racing and blocked roadways around 12:26 a.m. Sunday. Those incidents were part of a "coordinated and preplanned event intended to disrupt traffic and disturb the peace of the community," police wrote in a statement posted to Facebook .
The "takeover" in Fall River happened around the same time as similar events in several other communities. A cruiser was set on fire in Boston . Fireworks were fired at a police cruiser in Randolph . A Dodge Charger drove at an officer in Middleborough.
"These gatherings intentionally block roads, endanger the public through negligent vehicle operation, and interfere with emergency services. Such actions are deliberate public disturbances and are not protected assemblies," Fall River police wrote.
The assembled crowd forced a private ambulance to re-route on Innovation Way when they refused to let it pass. Later, police responded to Davol and Central streets, where roughly 200 people had gathered, completely blocking the roadway.
At the intersection, several people in high-visibility vests acted as road guards while vehicles performed burnouts and donuts, and the crowd set off fireworks in the street, police said. Many of those in the crowd wore masks to conceal their faces and "showed complete disregard for police presence," the statement reads.
Police described the blockage of Davol Street as a "serious public safety hazard for Fall River and surrounding towns" because it provides direct access to St. Anne's Hospital and Charlton Memorial Hospital.
The group is believed to have gathered in Brockton before traveling as a "convoy" to Fall River. At the scene, police towed four vehicles and made five arrests. Police also sought a warrant for an additional suspect and are working to identify others through body-worn camera footage.
The five people arrested were each charged with disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace and conspiracy. They are: Jahir Gonzalez, 22, of New Bedford, Alexander Copsetta, 21, of North Easton, Alyssa Deyoung, 19, of Bridgewater, Mackenzie Benjamin, 19, of Kingston, and Aiden Meehen, 20, of Oxford.
Meehen faces an additional charge of operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, police said.
Police also sought a warrant for Brennden Ortega, 19, of New Bedford, on similar charges, as well as resisting arrest.
"This premeditated and unlawful event endangered the public, obstructed emergency response, and disrupted the community's peace," police wrote.
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