New London Man Charged In West Hartford Street Takeover: Police

WEST HARTFORD/NEW LONDON, CT — The state police's war on street takeovers continued Tuesday with the announcement of a New London man being charged in connection with a West Hartford incident in March.

Connecticut State Police said Freilyn Guzman, 19, of Hempstead Street, New London, was charged with failure to display license plates; reckless driving; and first-degree reckless endangerment.

Guzman was taken into custody to the Troop H barracks in Hartford after he voluntarily turned himself in, police said.

He was released on $5,000 bond and is expected in Hartford Superior Court June 15.

According to the affidavit for Guzman's charges, the incident in question occurred at about 1:10 a.m. March 14 at the Prospect Plaza Shopping Center at 18-54 Kane St., West Hartford.

Police said Guzman was part of a group of people in 100 to 200 cars performing such stunts as drifting, burnouts and other reckless driving incidents as part of the "takeover" there.

According to court papers, the "takeover" participants came within inches of striking standing spectators outside of their vehicles and fireworks were also being set off.

Police said Guzman was linked to the takeover because a sworn witness noticed that someone was putting a license plate on a black Infiniti sedan and documented the license plate information.

A quick scan of the registration plate led police to link Guzman to the incident, leading to an arrest warrant and his subsequent charges.

Guzman's charges were part of a larger investigation into such street "takeover" incidents in Hartford and New Haven counties that night, according to the affidavit.

Police believe the group involved in the West Hartford takeover were also linked to similar incidents that night at the Big Y parking lot at 67 Prospect Hill Road, East Windsor, and the Enfield Square Mall, 90 Elm St., Enfield, according to court papers.

In recent months, such "takeovers" and street racing have become more and more prevalent in Connecticut, with state police cracking down on them.

State police said if members of the public should come across a street race/takeover, they should stop, turn back and find an alternate route.

Witnesses should not exit their vehicles and approach participants, but they should call 9-1-1 instead, police said.

Connecticut State Police have created a tip line and website for such "street takeovers."

People can call 1-800-CALL-FBI and select the “Connecticut Street Takeovers” option, or visit fbi.gov/cttakeovertips to provide investigators with video/photos related to these events. All information may be submitted anonymously and will remain confidential.

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