CLEVELAND — Cleveland Chief of Police Dorothy Todd said multiple law enforcement partners helped respond to "several street takeovers" in the overnight hours Sunday morning.
At a press conference Sunday, Todd said the chaotic scenes began just after 11 p.m. Saturday. In one of the most serious of the incidents, vehicles took over I-90 westbound and "shut the freeway down," stopping traffic. Todd said the suspects allegedly shot off fireworks on the freeway and attempted to light fires, only to be thwarted by the slick roadway due to the recent rain.
Other takeovers happened on West 25th Street and Lorain Avenue; on West 65th Street; East 93rd Street and Opportunity Corridor; at Steelyard Commons; East 105th Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard; and East 55th Street and Woodland Avenue.
According to Todd, there were no injuries reported to officers or community members and there was no "serious damage" as a result of the disorder.
Todd described a chaotic scene as officers tried to deter cars from spinning in the intersections of the freeway and at one point had airsoft guns pointed in their direction. One officer was struck by an airsoft pellet, Todd said. According to the police chief, firearms were reportedly pointed at citizens.
Cleveland police received a tip that an illegal street takeover may take place after being alerted to posts on Instagram and elsewhere on social media. According to Todd, the takeovers were organized by "someone from Cincinnati." Todd said "some" of the vehicles involved came from other cities, though she noted there were also "local participants."
Todd said while there were no injuries, the incidents are "still terrifying."
"This is more than a traffic issue," Todd said. "These are felony crimes."
Todd said police are working to identify and arrest "all involved" and added that the vehicles involved are subject to seizure.
The police chief said charges would extend to participants who were not in vehicles.
"People who are just out there filming it, partaking in that way is still a crime," Todd said. "Blocking an intersection with your person is also a crime. You don't have to be in the vehicle to be a part of this."
According to Todd, the takeovers follow a national trend. Similar incidents have recently taken place in Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Columbus and Cincinnati, she said.