Hillsborough Township police charged four people after dispersing two separate car meets in September and October that drew large crowds.
On Sept. 10 at 1:04 a.m., Hillsborough police responded to a report of a large crowd and
vehicles doing burnouts and donuts in the intersection of Willow Road and Hillsborough Road. Upon the arrival of patrol, a large crowd of approximately 100 individuals were observed and ordered to disperse. The crowd refused to immediately disperse, and numerous actors advanced towards police units. A white BMW, which was observed driving recklessly in the intersection, then backed up towards a marked patrol unit and did a burnout, according to the Hillsborough Township Police Department.
On Oct. 14 at 4:01 a.m., Hillsborough police responded to a report of motor vehicles racing and driving recklessly at the intersection of Dukes Parkway East and US Highway 206. Upon the arrival of patrol, approximately 100 individuals were observed on foot around the intersection and approximately 50 vehicles were parked along the southbound lanes of US Highway 206 near the intersection. The intersection of Dukes Parkway East and US Highway 206 was blocked in all directions by actors on foot and in vehicles cheering and enabling other actors in vehicles to perform burnouts and donuts in the blocked off intersection, known as a “takeover.”
Hillsborough police units attempted to disperse the crowd, at which time 15 to 20 actors began to surround police vehicles, blocking them from reaching the intersection and shining laser pointers at responding units’ windshields. Upon reaching the patrol vehicles, some actors hit patrol vehicle doors and windshields with their hands. As the crowd began to disperse, patrol units attempted to effectuate a motor vehicle stop on a White BMW. The
White BMW then backed up toward patrol units, conducted a burnout and fled northbound on US Highway 206, according to police.
Subsequent to an investigation into the above incidents, a 21-year-old Sayreville man was charged with rioting, endangering another person, obstructing administration of law, disorderly conduct, and obstructing highways and other public passages. Rioting, endangering another person and obstructing administration are fourth degree charges.
A 24-year-old North Middletown man was charged with eluding, rioting, endangering another person, obstructing administration, disorderly conduct, obstructing highways and other public passages. Eluding is a second-degree charge.
A 20-year-old Hillsborough man was charged with rioting, endangering another person, obstructing administration, disorderly conduct and obstructing highways and other public passages.
An 18-year-old Philadelphia man was charged with rioting, endangering another person, obstructing administration, disorderly conduct and obstructing highways and other public passages.
Police Chief Mike McMahon advises this investigation is ongoing and additional charges are expected. McMahon thanked the following agencies for their assistance with this investigation: Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, Somerville Police Department, Raritan Police Department, Bridgewater Township Police Department, and the Franklin Township Police Department.
