Dozens arrested in illegal late night car show, Worcester police say
WORCESTER ― More than 50 people were arrested Friday night for participating in an illegal car show in Worcester, according to police.
Authorities say these events have escalated since the spring, with reports of shots fired and property damage.
A total of 53 people and one minor were charged with trespassing at 330 Southwest Cutoff. Thirty cars were behind a building shortly before midnight Friday where police said there was loud music and engines revving. Some of the cars were the same ones that had sped away earlier Friday night when police checked out complaints of a large car show on New Bond Street.
Because of the number of people arrested, a patrol wagon and bus were needed to take them to the police station.
No injuries were reported, and no weapons were found at the scene.
Illegal car shows in Worcester have escalated since the spring, said police. They're organized through social media and take place in large parking lots and remote areas to encourage reckless driving.
They've become "increasingly problematic," said a police press release, with officers responding to dozens of incidents of gunshots, property damage and erratic driving.
“These types of dangerous gatherings put innocent members of our community at risk and will not be tolerated in the City of Worcester,” said interim Police Chief Paul Saucier.
Police converged earlier Friday night on a parking lot of the former Dick's Sporting Goods store on Lincoln Street after getting resident complaints of reckless driving and speeding. Less than an hour later, residents reported a large number of cars at a lot on New Bond Street. Police took down the license plate numbers of cars that sped away from New Bond.
A resident reported finding a bullet casing from a recent shooting on New Bond Street, a frequent gathering spot for the car shows, according to police.
Contact Henry Schwan at henry.schwan@telegram.com. Follow him on X: @henrytelegram.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Dozens arrested in illegal late night car show, Worcester police say
