NEWARK STREET TAKEOVER: 5 ARRESTED AFTER ILLEGAL DRAG RACING EVENTS IN 2024 AND 2025

Newark officials have announced the arrest of five individuals linked to two separate street takeover events that unfolded in the city in November 2024 and April 2025. Authorities say the out-of-town drag racers used social media to promote the illegal events, which resulted in chaos, injuries, and serious criminal charges.

According to the Newark Department of Public Safety, the arrests stem from an ongoing investigation led by the department’s Drag Racing Suppression Unit and Real Time Crime Center. In addition to the arrests, police issued 49 summonses and towed 11 vehicles.

“This deep investigative dive into the social media accounts that promote street takeovers should send a deafening wake-up call to anyone who mistakenly believes that Newark is a place where they can host drag racing events,” said Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda.

November 2024 Street Takeover

Several of the arrests are connected to a large-scale street takeover that occurred on November 24, 2024, near Miller Street and McCarter Highway. Around 1:02 a.m., police responded to reports of reckless driving by multiple vehicles.

Wyatt Bowden, 19, of Somerville, was arrested at the scene after allegedly running over a Newark police officer’s foot while attempting to flee in a silver 2015 GMC Terrain. Bowden was pursued on foot and taken into custody. He is facing charges of aggravated assault on a police officer, eluding, and unlawful possession of a weapon.

The injured officer was transported to University Hospital and remains in stable condition.

Tony Ali, 20, of Paterson, was arrested months later in Totowa on April 4, 2025. Authorities say he was identified through Instagram as the account holder responsible for promoting the November takeover. He has been charged with rioting.

Adrian Mejia, 20, of the Bronx, was taken into custody on May 1, 2025. Investigators linked him to the November incident after he was seen jumping on a marked Newark police vehicle. He is also facing a rioting charge and was wanted in Philadelphia for a separate aggravated assault linked to a similar event.

April 2025 Street Takeover

The second event took place on April 26, 2025, around 2:40 a.m. on Empire Street near Frelinghuysen Avenue. Officers from Newark’s 5th Precinct observed over 100 drag racers gathering before the crowd scattered at the sight of police.

During the chaos:

• Anderson Nunez-Luna, 22, of Jersey City, struck two other vehicles while attempting to flee in a gray Ford Focus. When confronted by a Newark police lieutenant, he allegedly accelerated, hitting the officer and launching him into the street. Nunez-Luna was quickly apprehended and charged with aggravated assault, eluding, and weapons offenses.

• The same lieutenant, despite his injuries, attempted to stop another fleeing vehicle — a 2021 Honda Accord driven by Haylin Rosario, 21, of Union City. Rosario reportedly accelerated toward the officer, forcing him to roll out of harm’s way. A high-speed chase ensued onto Route 22 West into Hillside, where Rosario allegedly turned off his headlights and tried to hide in a driveway. He was arrested without further incident.

The injured lieutenant was also transported to University Hospital and is reported to be in stable condition. Authorities say the investigation is ongoing, and more charges may be filed as they continue reviewing social media posts and surveillance footage.