SPRINGFIELD, MA — Springfield police arrested three people and issued dozens of citations over the Fourth of July weekend during extra details targeting late-night car meets.
Friday night into Saturday morning, officers made two arrests, issued 18 citations totaling more than $3,000 in fines and towed one vehicle.
Saturday night into Sunday morning, officers issued 20 additional citations, made one arrest and towed one vehicle.
Officers responded to several locations throughout the city multiple times each night to prevent larger crowds from forming.
The Springfield Police Department will continue these details at various times throughout the summer and adapt as necessary to reduce noise complaints and improve quality of life for residents.
At approximately 1:15 a.m. Saturday, officers observed four females hanging out of two windows of a vehicle on Parker Street.
Officers conducted a traffic stop, and the driver, later identified as Yadiel Montanez, refused to stop.
Once stopped, Montanez began putting the vehicle in reverse before officers got him to turn off the car.
Officers observed several open containers of alcohol inside the vehicle.
Officers released the females, arrested Montanez and towed the vehicle.
Yadiel Montanez, 23, of Westfield is charged with failure to submit, reckless operation of a motor vehicle and possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle.
At approximately 1:50 a.m. Saturday, officers located numerous vehicles at a gas station on the 3000 block of Main Street.
As officers dispersed the crowd, they conducted a traffic stop at Main Street and Chestnut Street.
The driver, later identified as Juan Oliva, failed to stop and continued driving while playing his music loudly.
Officers eventually got the driver to stop and placed Oliva under arrest.
Juan Oliva, 20, of Ludlow is charged with failure to stop for police.
At approximately 1:35 a.m. Sunday, officers were dispersing another car meet when they conducted a traffic stop in the area of Union Street and West Columbus Avenue.
The driver, later identified as Ashley Santana, refused to stop.
Santana then turned down a dead end on West Broad Street, and officers placed her under arrest.
Ashley Santana, 25, of Springfield is charged with failure to stop for police.
