Street Takeover Chaos: 15 Busted, 7 Cars Seized

Suffolk County cops busted 15 people and impounded seven vehicles after breaking up a wild street takeover in Medford, the latest salvo in the county’s years-long battle against illegal car meets.

Police said the Street Takeover Task Force learned through intelligence gathering and social media monitoring that a takeover was being planned last Friday night.

Authorities tracked the group across Suffolk, thwarting attempted gatherings at Commack Road and Sunrise Highway in Islip and Route 112 and Main Street in Patchogue before intercepting the drivers around 12:50 a.m. at Woodside Avenue and Sawgrass Drive in Medford.

There, vehicles effectively shut down the roadway as drivers allegedly performed stunts, donuts and burnouts, police said. Officers arrested 15 people, impounded seven vehicles and issued multiple traffic tickets.

The crackdown comes as Suffolk has ramped up its fight against street takeovers, which officials have called a persistent safety and quality-of-life problem.

The county launched its Street Takeover Task Force in November 2024 following dangerous illegal racing events, including an Islip gathering where an officer was injured and a fiery crash erupted as drivers fled.

The unit has since become permanent, with police relying heavily on intelligence gathering and social media monitoring to identify gatherings before drivers can seize roadways. By early 2026, officials said the task force had already broken up more than 90 takeovers, made dozens of arrests and impounded more than 100 vehicles.

Suffolk also beefed up enforcement last year, extending the task force and adding nine officers to its Highway Patrol Bureau.

The stepped-up enforcement has continued this summer. Just last month, nine people were arrested and 12 vehicles impounded during an East Farmingdale takeover.

Those arrested Saturday are scheduled to appear in First District Court in Central Islip at a later date.