A late-night street takeover in East Farmingdale fizzled almost as soon as it started on Friday when Suffolk County police swarmed Central Avenue, broke up the crowd and hauled away cars. Officers arrested nine people, impounded 12 vehicles and wrote dozens of tickets after drivers blocked the roadway to spin donuts, lay down burnouts and pull other dangerous stunts. The response came from the county's Street Takeover Task Force, part of a broader effort to shut down illegal car meets across Long Island.
Members of the task force intercepted the meetup around 11:40 p.m., finding numerous vehicles already blocking Central Avenue and choking off traffic. The gathering was shut down within minutes of getting underway. As reported by News 12, the operation ended with nine arrests, 12 vehicles towed and 46 traffic summonses issued.
Police charged all nine with unlawful speed contest, a misdemeanor tied to illegal racing, and then released them pending arraignment. According to FOX 5 NY, those arrested were identified as Logan Woodwiss, 23, of Merrick; Devanny Alvarezcanela, 20, of Merrick; Maher Jaghab, 21, of Merrick; Christopher Sosa, 31, of Corona; Joseph Miller, 18, of Deer Park; Davon Chavesmariano, 26, of Brentwood; Justin Jadunandan, 20, of Jamaica; Dale Richardson, 30, of Uniondale; and Brian Fortune, 22, of West Islip. FOX 5 NY reports they are scheduled for arraignment at the First District Court in Central Islip.
Task force aims to stop dangerous car meets
Suffolk County created the Street Takeover Task Force after a string of high-risk gatherings in which large crowds and fast cars mixed about as well as oil and water, endangering drivers, spectators and responding officers. The unit has since stayed active countywide. CBS New York noted the task force began in late 2024, and the county's 2026 budget continues funding for the initiative as part of a broader push to improve roadway safety, according to the Suffolk County government.
What comes next
The nine suspects were released and are expected back in court for arraignment at the First District Court in Central Islip, officials said. FOX 5 NY reported on the arraignment scheduling. Since its launch, the Street Takeover Task Force has impounded dozens of vehicles and issued thousands of summonses, according to earlier coverage that charted the program's expansion and enforcement totals in the South Shore Press.
