MERIDEN — State and local police are seeking the public’s help identifying a suspect who may have had a gun as part of an unruly crowd that surrounded and jumped on a police cruiser during a May 6 incident at Lowe’s Plaza on East Main Street.     

The incident is one of many in several states in the Northeast that began as drag racing and modified car maneuver events before escalating into more dangerous and “brazen” behavior in recent weeks.

During the May 6 incident, police say suspects positioned their cars strategically to block other cruisers from responding, as a crowd approached a single cruiser in the parking lot, taunting the officer inside before jumping on the hood of the cruiser. The officer then backed the cruiser away from the crowd. The incident was captured by the cruiser’s video camera.

After leaving the scene, the group went to Waterbury where they started a fire to close an intersection and threw rocks at the responding fire trucks, police said.  Two weeks ago, a crowd threw bottles at police cruisers in Southington. 

“They were racing cars, playing loud music and smoking tires,” said Meriden Deputy Police Chief Jeremiah Scully. “This has become more brazen and dangerous.”

“We see a pattern here,” said Naugatuck Police Chief Colin McAllister. “It started with lower level traffic violations, modified vehicles, racing, maneuvers. Disregard and disrespect for law enforcement. They are conducting maneuvers that put the public at risk. We need enforcement action for these types of behaviors.”

But the sight of a possible firearm on top of the cruiser has heightened police concern. 

“We need your help in identifying the individual attempting to pull the item from their pocket,” Scully said. “If they are willing to pull what we believe to be a firearm while on the hood of a police cruiser, we have concerns on what else this individual may do or have done with this item.”

Local police have made two arrests in the incidents while Waterbury police arrested one suspect and Naugatuck police have made three arrests. Shawn Mills and Tatiana Ortiz have been charged in the Meriden incident with first-degree criminal mischief, second-degree breach of peace, interfering with police, unlawful assembly, first-degree riot and first-degree criminal trespass. Mills was also arrested in the Waterbury incident. 

The Meriden incident began at about 11:15 p.m. when police received nine separate calls regarding a large congregation of vehicles causing a disturbance in the lot. They reported racing, squealing tires, loud music, people using loudspeakers and fireworks. 

Upon arrival of a police cruiser to the lot, several individuals congregated in front of the cruiser as it pulled to the east side of the lot to determine where the large plume of smoke is coming from. 

The crowd can be seen on video demonstrating tumultuous behavior and derogatory conduct toward the only officer in the lot. 

“As the crowd continues to gather and grow around the police cruiser, there are no efforts made to adhere to the officer’s commands over his loudspeaker to disperse. Several members of the crowd then climb onto and dance on the hood of the cruiser while others aggressively bang on the hood. The cruiser suffered over $1,800 in damage,” police said in a press release.

Other officers could not get to the lone officer and assist him as other cars had blocked access. Meriden police requested mutual aid from state police and Middletown. 

“The actions of these individuals forced these agencies to send officers, lights and sirens, to an escalating situation. Sending mutual aid left their own communities short staffed and vulnerable while assisting us,” according to the statement.

The lone cruiser slowly backed up and the individuals got off the hood of the cruiser. The group then began to follow and taunt the officer as he relocated from the area, the report states.

The group has no gang-allegiance that the police are aware of, and use social media to coordinate and post times and locations of events. 

State Police Sgt. Chrissy Jeltema warned the public that young adults and teenagers are often the spectators in these incidents. She urged parents to know what their kids are doing. 

In addition to other local departments and state police, Meriden is collaborating with federal agencies to identify and arrest those responsible.

In the Meriden incident, police video shows a young man who climbed onto the right side of the cruiser attempt to pull what looked like a gun out of his pocket.

Although unable to brandish the firearm due to the police car moving away at the time he climbed on the vehicle, police want to know his intent.  

“We need your help in identifying the individual attempting to pull the item from their pocket,” Scully said. “If they are willing to pull, what we believe to be a firearm, while on the hood of a police cruiser, we have concerns on what else this individual may do or have done with this item.”

Police are seeking warrants and expect more arrests in upcoming days. 

The Meriden incident began at about 11:15 p.m. when police received nine separate calls regarding a large congregation of vehicles creating a disturbance in the lot. They reported racing, squealing tires, loud music, people using loudspeakers and fireworks. 

Upon arrival of a police cruiser to the lot, several individuals congregated in front of the cruiser as it pulls to the east side of the lot Near Lowe’s to determine where a large plume of smoke was coming from. 

The crowd can be seen on video demonstrating tumultuous behavior and derogatory conduct toward the only officer in the lot. 

“As the crowd continues to gather and grow around the police cruiser, there are no efforts made to adhere to the officer’s commands over his loudspeaker to disperse. Several members of the crowd then climb onto and dance on the hood of the cruiser while others aggressively bang on the hood. The cruiser suffered over $1,800 in damage,” police said in a press release.

Other officers could not get to the lone officer and assist him as other cars had blocked access. Meriden police requested mutual aid from state police and Middletown. 

“The actions of these individuals forced these agencies to send officers, lights and sirens, to an escalating situation. Sending mutual aid left their own communities short staffed and vulnerable while assisting us,” according to the statement.

The lone cruiser slowly backs up and the individuals get off the hood of the cruiser. The group then begins to follow and taunt the officer as he drove to another area of the plaza near other officers.

The group has no gang-allegiance that the police are aware of, and use social media to coordinate and post times and locations of events. They are car enthusiasts who enjoy creating chaos, Scully said. 

Jeltema warned the public that young adults and teenagers are often the spectators in these incidents. She urged parents to know what their kids are doing. 

In addition to local and state police departments, Meriden is collaborating with federal agencies to identify and hold those responsible for their activities. The law enforcement officials called upon the state’s judicial system and lawmakers to recognize the dangerous escalation and disrespect to law officers and the public. 

“We need to make sure we’re working collaboratively and paint a picture of what police departments are facing throughout the region,” Scullly said. “If you participate, we will hunt you down and arrest you.” 

mgodin@record-journal.com