Boston police cruisers were attacked by a “violent crowd” Sunday morning after officers responded to a report of several vehicles blocking an intersection.
More than 100 individuals were involved in a “large-scale vehicle takeover” in the Boston’s South End neighborhood after 2 a.m., according to police.
When officers arrived, individuals began attacking marked Boston police cruisers by “throwing fireworks, cones, poles, and other objects” at them.
Vehicle takeovers are described as large crowds of cars and pedestrians that block roadways to engage in “unlawful activities such as burnouts, donuts, and illegal street racing,” officer Mark Marron said.
One police vehicle sustained “extensive damage” after being “repeatedly struck” with fireworks, causing a fire inside. The Boston Fire Department extinguished the flames and the vehicle was later towed from the scene.
Boston police also said members of the crowd jumped on the hood of another cruiser.
Two teenagers from Rhode Island were arrested in connection with the incident. One was observed “throwing objects at officers and their cruiser,” while the other was seen “repeatedly striking a cruiser with an orange pole,” according to officials.
The 18- and 19-year-old suspects were taken into custody on charges of assault and battery of a police officer, malicious destruction of property, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
Both are expected to be arraigned in Roxbury District Court, police said.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said the group involved in the incident is not welcome in the city and will face “serious consequences.”
“The outside individuals who brought dangerous and disorderly conduct into Boston last night will be prosecuted and held fully accountable for their actions,” she said in a statement.
