2 charged in illegal car meetup incidents across Philadelphia; more arrests to come
PHILADELPHIA - Authorities in Philadelphia on Thursday announced charges against a man accused of participating in an illegal car meetup last weekend that spiraled into chaos.
Deonte Vincent, 25, faces several charges, including aggravated assault and possession of an instrument of crime, after authorities say he drove a Dodge Charger at two police officers and another person during one of several illegal car meetups that popped up around the city from Saturday to Sunday.
It's alleged that Vincent was among several drivers who scattered when officers arrived at a shopping center parking lot on the 7400 block of Bustleton Avenue. When police stopped another driver in a nearby alleyway, investigators say Vincent sped at the officers and the stopped driver and narrowly missed hitting them.
Vincent, according to authorities, struck the other driver's car and continued to speed off. Prosecutors on Thursday explained that Vincent, whose bail was set at $1.5M, faces three separate sets of charges for the two officers and the third person involved in the incident.
In addition to Vincent's arrest, police have also arrested and charged 19-year-old Jhonny Martinez from Upper Darby with REAP.
During the chaos, police say around midnight on Sunday, September 22, in the area of Columbus Blvd and Pattison Avenue, an officer saw a silver Nissan doing donuts in the middle of the street and doing a 180-degree turn heading towards his vehicle.
The officer was able to maneuver out of the way and followed the vehicle and observed it come to a stop at 300 Pattison Avenue when the vehicle struck a pole.
The officer approached the stopped Nissan, at which time four males ran from the vehicle. Police say Martinez was the driver of the vehicle.
Here is a timeline of the illegal events that occurred.
Suspect accused of driving at Philly police officers during illegal car meetup: officials
Dante Vincent faces several charges, including aggravated assault and possession of an instrument of crime, after authorities say he drove a Dodge Charger at two police officers and another person during one of several illegal car meetups that popped up around the city from Saturday to Sunday.
Members of the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office and the Philadelphia Police Department were packed behind the podium during Thursday's press conference. The show of force comes days after dozens of cars and hundreds of people overwhelmed city streets, performing illegal donuts and shooting off fireworks.
Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore said the illegal meetups happened at more than 10 major intersections across the city, and caused up to $3,000 in road damage. At least five Philadelphia police vehicles were also damaged during the chaos, Vanore added.
More than 200 vehicles wreak havoc across Philadelphia prompting police crackdown
From an injured police officer to rubbish fires set, the Philadelphia Police Department is cracking down on illegal street racing and reckless driving after a series of ‘dangerous’ incidents across the city over the weekend.
Investigators are working hard to identify and charge those involved in the illegal meet-ups, including many who investigators say came to Philadelphia from other states and counties. So far, Vanore said they have identified 38 vehicles, recovered 5 of them, and 21 are now on "wanted" status-some hours away in PA, even outside the state.
"People were lighting fires, they were holding up firearms in some cases, and they're obviously all driving recklessly," Vanore said. "We have cameras throughout this city, we have a lot of these people on video, we've already identified some of them."