BREAKING: A 19-year-old from Connecticut has been arrested for allegedly setting a Boston police cruiser on fire during a chaotic street takeover nearly two months ago. David Antonio Moran, also known as David Moran-Chavez, faces multiple charges including burning a motor vehicle and conspiracy.
Authorities confirmed that Moran was taken into custody at his home in Norwalk early Thursday morning. Investigators seized items linking him to the incendiary incident that took place on October 5, 2023, at the intersection of Mass. Ave. and Tremont Street. Police reported that over 100 individuals participated in this large-scale takeover, attacking police cruisers with fireworks and other dangerous objects.
Boston Police Superintendent Paul McLaughlin stated, “Poring through a lot of video, a lot of different angles, they were able to determine that fireworks were used… and that’s eventually how the police cruiser was caught on fire.” This investigation was described as “painstaking,” involving extensive review of witness accounts and police body camera footage.
Moran’s arrest marks a significant development in a case that has seen only two other teenagers from Rhode Island charged so far. McLaughlin warned that this incident is part of a larger trend, highlighting the organized nature of street takeovers across New England. “There is a very organized sort of street takeover network out there throughout New England and beyond,” he said, urging for better intelligence sharing among law enforcement agencies.
The street takeover on October 5 was characterized by chaos, with large crowds obstructing city streets and attacking police vehicles. Similar incidents have reportedly occurred in cities like Fall River, Randolph, and Middleboro. In response, Gov. Maura Healey and state law enforcement have vowed to combat such occurrences with increased citations, arrests, and millions of dollars in traffic safety grants.
Moran is set to be arraigned in Connecticut before facing possible extradition to Boston. As the investigation continues, McLaughlin emphasized, “There’s still a lot going on with this case.” With the issue of street takeovers becoming increasingly concerning, authorities are expected to ramp up their efforts to ensure public safety.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story, as more details emerge and law enforcement continues to track down participants involved in this alarming trend.
