Suffolk police charge those involved in weekend roadway swarming

SUFFOLK COUNTY (WABC) -- Five suspects are under arrest after a street takeover on Long Island, but that is only the start. Hundreds of off-road vehicles took part as they recklessly drove from Hauppauge to Bayshore in Suffolk County.

"It scares me. It scares me because they take over the road," a passerby said.

Video released by police shows over 200 ATVs, dirt bikes, and motorcycles take over the roadways in Suffolk on Saturday just after 4 p.m.

"Too much traffic as it is, and I don't believe that should happen here," another resident said.

The off-road vehicles swarmed the streets and spanned the entire width of the roadway.

The group was driving reckless and performing stunts on Route 347, according to police. They say this prompted several 911 calls.

"There block traffic, performing stunts on the roadways, they are speeding, riding without helmets on. There is a myriad of what they are doing that is wrong," Suffolk Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina said.

Catalina says four people were arrested and ten of the vehicles were seized.

"I think it's ridiculous. I think all bikes should be confiscated," another resident said.

"When they lose their vehicles, it hurts and they are going to feel it," Catalina said. "They are not going to get them back."

The group was broken up by law enforcement in Hauppauge, and a short time later reconvened and took over the roadways in Bayshore.

22-year-old Shamir Solomon from Roosevelt allegedly fled on foot and when he was caught, police say he had a loaded handgun.

The five arrested are facing several charges, including reckless driving, unlawful speed contest, and more.

"I wish they had arrested more,"a resident said.

"They do communicate online," Catalina said. "We are going to use that against them, and I want to let everybody who was out there participating know that you are certainly not off the hook. We are going to analyze the video."

The commissioner tells Eyewitness News that the number of street takeovers are down since they have launched the Street Takeover Task Force in the county.

"I seen videos where it can be pretty bad," Mike Mastrogiacomo from Smithtown said. "People do stupid things."