Particle.news
Download on the App Store

200-Vehicle ATV and Dirt-Bike Takeover Shuts Route 347, Leads to Three Arrests

Police opened an investigation to determine how organizers coordinated the large, mobile gathering that exposed enforcement gaps.

Overview

  • The takeover swarmed Route 347 near the Smith Haven Mall on Saturday and involved at least 200 ATVs, dirt bikes and motorcycles that blocked lanes and performed stunts.
  • Officers from multiple precincts broke up the gathering, followed riders as they regrouped in Brentwood and Bay Shore, and impounded 10 vehicles after the incident.
  • Three people were arrested: 22-year-old Shamir Solomon of Roosevelt faces second-degree criminal possession of a weapon with $10,000 cash bail set, and 23-year-old Ava Mongiello and 29-year-old Jahkil Arroyo received desk appearance tickets on charges including reckless driving and unlawfully fleeing police.
  • Police released video showing scores of machines crowding the roadway and performing wheelies, and they say it remains unclear how the event was organized so quickly and at such scale.
  • The July 26 takeover follows other recent street takeovers in Suffolk County this month and has prompted continued patrol deployments and an active probe into coordination and public-safety responses.