Police Raid Large 'Street Takeover' In Berlin: CSP

BERLIN, CT — State police arrested several men after a reported street takeover on a state roadway in Berlin early Sunday morning.

According to police, at about 1:55 a.m., officers from Troop H in Hartford were sent to the Polish Legion Highway (Route 571) in Berlin for a reported "mass vehicle gathering."

Police said the vehicles were attempting to block the roadway to traffic as part of a so-called "street takeover" action.

Troopers arrived and ordered the group to disperse, but were called again for another takeover attempt and that "resulted in the group leaving," police said.

Then at 4:20 a.m. Sunday, troopers were dispatched back to the Polish Legion Highway for yet another street takeover.

"Upon arrival, troopers observed that the roadway was shut down by participants in this street takeover event," wrote Connecticut State Police on Sunday.

"Upon attempts to move all parties to a stop along the shoulder, several became uncooperative and ignored lawful directives and continued to engage in aggressive and reckless vehicle operation."

Police were authorized to use tire deflation devices on vehicles refusing to comply with police orders.

Following this action, several were detained with misdemeanor summonses issued to Jeremiah Morrero, 23, of Bridgeport; Alexander Crespo, 34, of Bridgeport; Ivelis Valentin, 27, of Bridgeport; Jezne Serrano, 24, of Bridgeport; Lewis Colon, 21, of Bridgeport; and Jamileth Flores, 26, of New Haven for spectating a street race.

All are scheduled to appear in New Britain Superior Court this month.

Police said one operator refused to comply with troopers and then fled the scene after stop sticks were deployed on his vehicle.

He, police said, was located shortly after that on an adjacent side street with his vehicle, which had become disabled.

The suspect was identified as Kevin Correa-Martinez, 24, of Meriden.

Police said Correa-Martinez admitted to being the vehicle operator and fleeing the scene.

According to police, Correa-Martinez was charged with failure to carry an operator license; reckless driving; disobeying an officer's signal; wagering on a highway street race/takeover; improper parking; and second-degree reckless endangerment.

Correa-Martinez was taken into custody without incident and was transported to Troop H where he was processed and later released on a $10,000 bond.

He is scheduled to appear at New Britain Superior Court on Sept. 20.

For the full Connecticut State Police news page, click on this link.