BOSTON — Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced today that two Rhode Island men were arraigned in Roxbury Municipal Court in connection with a large-scale takeover event in the South End early Sunday morning, during which Boston police officers were threatened with fireworks and other objects and a cruiser was destroyed by fire in a “firework-induced blaze.”
A takeover event is an illegal street gathering where crowds block roads to perform and film dangerous car, motorcycle, or firework stunts, which are often recorded for social media.
This marks the second arraignment in recent months related to organized takeover events. In August, Caden Basir, 20, of West Boylston, was charged in Boston Municipal Court Central Division in connection with a large-scale takeover on Commonwealth Avenue in April 2024.
William Cantwell, 19, of Warwick, and Julian Bowers,18, of Cumberland, were each charged with malicious destruction of property over $1,200, disorderly conduct, assault and battery on a police officer, and resisting arrest. Cantwell faces an additional charge of possessing a Class D substance.
Prosecutors requested $20,000 bail for Cantwell and $15,000 bail for Bowers. The judge set bail at $1,000 for Cantwell and $500 for Bowers. Both are scheduled to return to court on November 5 for a pre-trial hearing.
“These takeover events are dangerous, intolerable assaults on our police officers and our neighborhoods,” said District Attorney Hayden. “We and our law enforcement partners will do all we can to identify and hold accountable anyone involved. No one should think they can jeopardize public safety in such a brazen manner without consequences.”
The investigation into the South End incident is ongoing.
Should cost the idiots any money damages. Forced to perform Community Service, forced to conduct or speak to High Schools or schools and admit
how stupid their actions were.
Should be tried on the federal level as domestic terrorism. Federal level is more serious about crime and accountability, unlike the clown show of judges in municipal court . 1,000 and 500 for bail ha ha ha ,