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Body cam video shows 'street takeover' that left officer injured in Fairfax Co.
Fairfax County police have announced three people charged in connection to a weekend meet-up of reckless drivers that left an officer injured and a cruiser damaged. One person was taken into custody immediately after the incident
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. - Fairfax County police have charged four people in connection to a weekend meet-up of reckless drivers that left an officer injured and a cruiser damaged.
The incident created what Chief Kevin Davis indicated was a dangerous situation for the first officer who responded to the scene.
"I believe we narrowly escaped a line-of-duty death scenario of our own. Because one of our officers was surrounded by a bunch of masked, tough-guy-wannabe-thugs who surrounded her car, and acted in a criminal manner, in a way that I’ll tell you is never going to happen again in Fairfax County," Davis said.
Police say the "street takeover" happened in a parking lot in the 6600 block of Electronic Drive in Springfield around 3 a.m. Sunday. An officer on patrol saw several vehicles pull into the parking lot and a large group of individuals were seen driving recklessly and doing donuts.
After seeing the officer, dashcam video shows a large group of individuals surrounding her cruiser. At least one person tried to remove the license plate from the vehicle while others acted disorderly. Fairfax County Police say some at the meetup even tried to get inside her cruiser.
RELATED: 1 officer struck, police cruiser hit after reckless drivers meet up in Fairfax County
The group stopped the officer from moving in any direction and they jumped on her cruiser and continuously banged on the windows. Photos show at least one man hanging outside of a vehicle with a rifle in hand.
Dozens of officers responded from across the county to assist and the mob of drivers and participants began to disperse.
Police were able to make one arrest immediately following the incident. Carlos A Matinez Jr., 18, was charged with reckless driving after he drove down the wrong side of the road and crashed into a cruiser. He was released on a summons.
One driver hit an officer with their car and then fled from the scene. They sustained minor injuries. Another officer found the vehicle and a pursuit was initiated, but ultimately ended without an arrest.
The suspect in that incident has been identified as Ronal Urrea-Hernandez, 18. Arrest warrants have been obtained for felony hit and run, speed to elude, and no operator's license but Urrea-Hernandez has not yet been taken into custody.
Investigators have also obtained arrest warrants for 20-year-old Dylan Heckard, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. He is wanted for abduction, assault on a law enforcement officer, obstruction of justice, and wearing a mask in public.
Detectives have also identified a 17-year-old Arlington man who will be charged with disorderly conduct and abduction for jumping on the police cruiser and preventing her from leaving.
Chief Davis says these incidents are common, but this incident was a particular concern for officer safety. Davis says they’ll have Civil Disturbance teams more ready to respond to not put officers in a dangerous situation going forward.
Detectives are continuing to investigate. Anyone with information is asked to call 703-922-0889 or submit an anonymous tip online.