In the wake of the chaotic Nov. 3 street takeover on Commack Road and westbound Sunrise Service Road in Islip, during which an officer was assaulted and dragged by a vehicle, Suffolk County police have arrested two people and announced a new Street Takeover Task Force.

During a press conference on Nov. 8 at the Suffolk County Police Academy, Suffolk County executive Ed Romaine, Suffolk County district attorney Ray Tierney and Suffolk County police deputy commissioner Kevin Catalina discussed the two arrests made and the formation of the task force.

The taskforce will feature highway unit officers and Suffolk sheriff’s deputies working with Suffolk’s Criminal Intelligence Bureau. A bureau detective will use both social media and help from the public to identify and shut down street takeovers before they happen to keep both the public and SCPD officers out of danger.

To incentivize help from the public, Crime Stoppers is offering a $500 fast cash reward to anyone with information on the next street takeover.

To further crack down on illegal street racing, Tierney announced that he is seeking assistance from Albany. Tierney implored New York State legislators to amend the law to expand forfeiture laws, so that if someone is convicted of a misdemeanor, the car could be seized and impounded.

Suffolk police also announced the arrest of two men involved in the Nov. 3 takeover, explaining their involvement.

Both the Islip Fire Department and the Suffolk County Police Department were dispatched when the gathering of over 100 people and their cars blocked traffic on Commack Road at the Sunrise Highway overpass, prompting multiple 911 calls. While responding, a Third Precinct officer was involved in a motor vehicle crash, striking a pole while attempting to avoid a person in the roadway, on westbound Sunrise Service Road, near Commack Road, in Islip, at approximately 1 a.m. on Nov. 3.

The officer exited his vehicle and walked to the front of the crowd when he observed a black Ford Mustang driving recklessly. When the officer was able to get the driver to stop, several people came up behind the officer and began punching him. The driver of the Mustang fled while the officer was holding on to the door, and the officer was dragged across the ground.

The Ford Mustang was then involved in a motor vehicle crash with another vehicle at Commack Road and Wallace Street. The driver of the Ford fled the scene on foot. 

The officer who was assaulted and dragged was treated at and released from a local hospital. 

Following an investigation by Third Squad detectives, the driver of the Ford Mustang, Dennis Kaprov,  21, of Brooklyn, was arrested today and charged with assault 2nd degree, reckless endangerment 1st degree, reckless endangerment 2nd degree, leaving the scene of an accident, and unlawful speed contests, sideshows & races.

Kaprov was held overnight at the Third Precinct and arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Nov. 8. After pleading not guilty, he was released with non-monetary conditions. His next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 11.

Following an investigation by Third Precinct Crime Section, officers identified an additional participant of the street takeover after his abandoned vehicle, a Chrysler 300M with a Hellcat emblem, was located. Jordy Yanzaguano, 20, of Westbury, was arrested on Nov. 6 and charged with reckless endangerment 2nd degree and unlawful speed contests, sideshows & races for performing maneuvers, known as donuts, in the middle of an intersection with spectators nearby during the Nov. 3 takeover.

Yanzaguano was issued a Desk Appearance Ticket and will be arraigned at a later date.

Third Squad detectives have received assistance from the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office,  U.S. Marshal’s Task Force, Third Precinct Crime Section, Suffolk County Police Criminal Intelligence Bureau and Crime Analysis Center analysts.

The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Third Squad at 631-854- 8352 or Suffolk County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.