EastCoastin' Owner Pleads To Lesser Charge, City To Sue: Report

NEW HAVEN, CT — Up until his appearance in criminal court Wednesday, Gabriel Canestri Jr. faced two New Haven police charges — inciting a riot and second-degree breach of peace — for his role in putting together the Sept. 25 EastCoastin’ motorcycle rally.

It was a prohibited event as he and his partner Sal Fusco never obtained the necessary city permits required to hold the biker event in the Annex that drew thousands.

Canestri and Fusco are the principals for the Forbes Avenue business, EastCoastin,' according to state records.

At the event, Canestri was arrested by New Haven police, and afterwards, he posted a photo of him in handcuffs being led to a police cruiser to his Instagram.

After a few court appearances, by Wednesday, a deal had been struck with prosecutors to let him plead no contest to one misdemeanor charge of reckless endangerment. Which means he won't go to jail, unless, as the New Haven Independent reported, he violates a condition of the deal.

Canestri can't “solicit, organize, hold or participate in any motorcycle event” in New Haven over the next three years “unless it is properly permitted," the Independent reported.

But his troubles may not end with a diminished criminal charge. The Independent reported that the city will be suing him for more than $80,000. That's what the city said it cost for the 150 cops, and public works staff, needed to police, contain and clean-up after the rally that drew some 5,000 bikers and spectators to the Annex and the area around the Port of New Haven.

New Haven police said weeks before the slated event, and no uncertain terms, that the event could not go on. But it did. And Canestri was arrested.

Read the full New Haven Independent report here.

And more Patch coverage here >> Thousands Of Motorcyclists To Descend On City In 'Illegal' Event