July 17, 2024
For Immediate Release
Contact: Chief Erik Costa, 860-638-4100

News Release - Street Takeover Arrest

On July 13, 2024 at approximately 5:59pm, Middletown Police Officers responded to the report of a large group of dirt bikes in the area of South Main Street at the Middlefield town line. Additional callers reported that the group was attempting a street takeover.

One Middletown officer located a large group of participants in the parking lot of the Citgo Gas Station at 538 South Main Street shortly after the calls from the public. The officer was able to arrest one of the takeover participants but requested additional officers due to the crowd’s response to his presence. The street takeover participants were driving recklessly into oncoming traffic and blocking responding police officers operating marked police cruisers with lights and sirens activated.

The remaining street takeover riders left the area traveling northbound on South Main Street and additional patrol units were able to get to the officer at Citgo. The officer had one male, identified as 31-year-old Anthony Miranda of 14 Willow Street in Port Monmouth, NJ, in custody. Miranda was arrested on scene and transported to Middletown Police Headquarters for processing. His motorcycle, a 2020 Honda CRF 110cc dirt bike, was seized as evidence.

Miranda was charged with the offenses below, released after posting a $150,000 surety bond, and scheduled to appear in Middletown Court on July 26, 2024:

• Reckless Endangerment 1^st Degree
• Interfering/Resisting Arrest
• Reckless Driving
• Failure to Stop for Emergency Vehicle
• Obstruction of an Emergency Vehicle
• Failure to Maintain Proper Lane
• Operating Unregistered Motor Vehicle
• Operating MV without Insurance
• Operating Motorcycle without Motorcycle Endorsement
• Failure to Have Tail Lamps
• Failure to Have Turn Signals