Man Sought In ‘Car Takeover’ Incident In Meriden: Police

MERIDEN, CT — Police are asking for help with identifying a man in connection with a recent “car takeover” incident in Meriden.

Police said the incident happened around 11:15 p.m. on May 6 in a large parking lot at 1201 East Main St. in Meriden. The parking lot includes several businesses that were closed at the time.

Police received nine separate calls regarding a large contingent of cars and people in the parking lot. The incident involved cars racing, squealing tires, people using loudspeakers and setting off fireworks, according to police.

A man stepped in front of the police cruiser that arrived at the scene and called the crowd over. The crowd surrounded the police cruiser, and several people climbed on top of the cruiser, and jumped up and down.

The crowd caused $1,800 worth of damage to the police cruiser, according to police.

Police are trying to identify one of the men who jumped on top of the cruiser and appeared to be reaching for what police said looked like a gun in his right jacket pocket.

Anyone with information on the man (pictured) is asked to contact Detective Patrick McCarthy at 203-630-6279. Anonymous tips can be left at 203-630-6273.

Meriden police held a news conference Friday morning, along with members of the Southington, Waterbury, and Naugatuck police departments, and representatives from Connecticut State Police and the Sr. Assistant State's Attorney from the Meriden Courthouse.

Police shared dashcam video from the incident during the news conference.

The full news conference can be seen on the City of Meriden's Facebook page here.