Months after a so-called “street takeover” caused chaos in Secaucus, police have announced charges against 14 people.
Secaucus police said officers “came under attack” on Aug. 31 when fireworks were set off under a police vehicle while an officer was inside. Other people also jumped on the hood of the patrol car. The police vehicle was left with thousands of dollars in damage.
Police had been called to the intersection of Secaucus Road and County Avenue after getting a report that drivers were being reckless, in some cases while people were seated on the exterior of cars.
In one instance, onlookers were hit but not badly injured when a driver lost control of his car. Three vehicles were seized.
Four of the 14 were arrested in October while eight others were charged this month with riot/public brawl to incite disorderly conduct, police said.
Some were also charged with recklessly creating a risk of widespread injury and endangering another person.
A “street takeover” is a social media-organized gathering of vehicles in a public intersection, where people obstruct traffic and perform stunts with cars.
Two of those involved were 17 at the time of the incident and are charged as juveniles. The others range in age from 18 to 26.
Many are from Monmouth, Middlesex, Ocean and Union counties. Three are from New York City and one lives in Virginia, according to police.
“In August, I vowed that Secaucus Police Department would hold those accountable for putting my officers’ lives at risk, and I hope the message is clear: if you come to Secaucus and put others in harm’s way, we will hold you accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” police chief Dennis Miller said in a statement. “The various units of the Secaucus Police Department worked as swiftly as possibly to file these charges while working within the confines of the law and our constitution.”