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Worcester police arrest 53 adults, 1 kid after illegal car show

  • Posted by Worcester News July 20, 2024 - Filed in News - #Worcester  #crime  #Lincoln Plaza  #Worcester Police Department  #car show  #330 Southwest Cutoff  #New Bond Street  - 7,102 views

    WORCESTER — Worcester police arrested 53 adults and 1 juvenile late Friday night in connection with an illegal car show gathering that led to numerous complaints of reckless driving and public endangerment.

    The arrests follow a series of impromptu car shows that have plagued the city since the spring, polce said in a release.

    These events, promoted via social media, often occur in large parking lots or remote areas where participants can engage in dangerous driving behaviors. The gatherings have resulted in numerous incidents involving gunshots, property damage, and disorderly conduct.

    The latest incident began at approximately 10:19 a.m. Friday, when a citizen reported finding a bullet casing on New Bond Street, a frequent site for the car shows. Shortly after 9 p.m., officers on Summer Impact program patrol and Operations Division officers responded to the parking lot of the old Dick’s Sporting Goods on Lincoln Street. There, they observed skid marks and tire tracks, indicating reckless driving. Witnesses corroborated these observations.

    At 9:51 p.m., officers received reports of a large vehicle gathering at a lot on New Bond Street. Although many cars fled upon the officers' arrival, some license plates were recorded. The investigation revealed that the gathering locations had been shared online, with 330 Southwest Cutoff identified as another venue.

    When officers arrived at Southwest Cutoff at 11:43 p.m., they encountered roughly 30 vehicles and could hear loud music and engines revving. Recognizing some of the vehicles from earlier, they proceeded to arrest 53 adults and 1 juvenile on charges of trespassing. A patrol wagon and a bus were used to transport the arrestees, and their vehicles were left for friends and family to drive away, avoiding towing.

    “These types of dangerous gatherings put innocent members of our community at risk and will not be tolerated in the City of Worcester,” Interim Police Chief Paul Saucier said.

    Shortly before 9 a.m. Saturday morning, officers conducted searched the Southwest Cutoff parking lot and its surrounding area to ensure no guns had been discarded. This search was a precautionary measure due to the numerous reports of gunfire at recent gatherings. No weapons were found.

    No injuries were reported during the arrests. The Worcester Police Department continues to investigate and monitor social media for future gatherings.

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