Police: Two men arrested in connection with street takeover in Islip
New video released by the Suffolk PBA shows someone appearing to slash the tires on a Suffolk police car during the illegal street takeover.
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Suffolk County police say they have arrested 21-year-old Dennis Kaprov, of Brooklyn, and 20-year-old Jordy Yanzaguano, of Westbury, in connection to last weekend's illegal street takeover.
Police say an officer approached Kaprov’s Ford Mustang that was driving recklessly early Sunday morning.
News 12 is told that's when several people came up behind the officer and started punching him. The officer was holding on to the door of the Mustang when Kaprov allegedly fled, dragging the officer. It was then involved in a crash with another car at Commack Road and Wallace Street. Police say Kaprov then ran off.
He is facing several charges this morning including assault.
We are told police were able to identify Yanzaguano as another participant, after finding his abandoned car. The Westbury man faces several charges including reckless endangerment.
“Don’t come to Suffolk County and participate in this type of behavior. We will hunt you, we will find you and we will arrest you," says Deputy Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina.
“Today we are announcing the formation of a new street takeover task force, comprised of specialized police officers previously assigned to our highway unit, whose primary focus will be to shut down driving expeditions which involve blocking public roads for dangerous stunts, disrupting traffic and posing public safety risks," said Catalina.
New video released by the Suffolk PBA shows someone appearing to slash the tires on a Suffolk police car during the illegal street takeover.
"With 25 years in policing, any time I went to a call like this, street racing, and the lights and the sirens showed up, the criminals would flee. That no longer happens. Now they want to stay. They want to fight," said Louis Civello, president of Suffolk County PBA.
“We need to take cars like that and give us the legal authority, and if they are found guilty of street racing or road rage to allow us to crush that car at facilities…so it never appears on the road again,” said Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine.
Suffolk officials announced Friday that they created a Street Takeover Task Force.
A $5,000 reward is being offered to anyone with information on future street takeovers that help leads to an arrest.
Defendant Kaprov pleaded not guilty at his Friday arraignment.
