For Immediate Release: 7/20/2024 11:20 am
WPD Arrests Fifty-three People, One Juvenile after Illegal Car Show Gathering
Since the spring of 2024, impromptu “car shows” have been held at a number of locations in the City of Worcester. The shows are announced on social media platforms to encourage people to attend. They are usually held in large parking lots or remote areas where participants can drive recklessly. These shows have become increasingly problematic, with officers responding to several dozen incidents of gunshots, property damage, erratic driving and large disorderly groups.
On July 19th, 2024, officers assigned to the Summer Impact program responded to several calls from citizens complaining about the car shows and erratic drivers at the event.
At approximately 10:19 AM, a citizen reported finding a bullet casing from a recent shooting at New Bond Street, a location frequently used for large car shows.
At 9:07 PM, officers on Impact patrol and Operations Division officers responded to the parking lot of the old Dick’s Sporting Goods on Lincoln Street after citizens reported a large group of cars driving recklessly and speeding through the busy shopping plaza. Officers observed skid marks and tire tracks across the lot and spoke with witnesses.
At approximately 9:51 PM, citizens reported a large gathering of vehicles at a lot on New Bond Street. A number of cars sped off as officers responded but officers were able to record the licenses plates of some of the vehicles.
Officers learned that the group had posted gathering spots online with 330 Southwest Cutoff as one of the venues. Officers arrived on scene at approximately 11:43 PM and could hear loud music and engines revving. Officers recognized some of the vehicles from the New Bond Street location earlier in the evening. Approximately 30 vehicles had gathered behind a building.
Fifty-three people and one juvenile were arrested and charged with trespassing. A patrol wagon and a bus were used to transport the arrestees to the police station. No injuries were reported. Family and friends of the arrestees were allowed to drive their vehicles away from the scene in lieu of towing.
“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.
On July 20th, 2024, at approximately 8:55 AM, officers conducted an additional search of the Southwest Cutoff parking lot and its immediate vicinity to make sure no firearms were discarded by the group. This was done as a public safety measure because of the numerous calls for shots fired during recent gatherings. No weapons were found.
