2 charged in takeover that shut down I-95 in New Haven, Orange, Stratford

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — Two men have been charged after a convoy of more than 100 motorcycles blocked Interstate 95 from New Haven to Fairfield County.

The takeover started at about 11:10 a.m. Saturday when motorcycles started driving “in an erratic manner” on I-95 in New Haven, according to state police. Motorcycles then started doing stunts and blocking the entirety of the southbound lanes in New Haven, West Haven, Orange, Milford and Stratford.

A GMC Denali pickup truck lead the pack, and a person in the bed filmed the stunts, according to state police. Troopers then positioned on the Exit 33 onramp to try and stop the group.

While trying to pull the truck over, state police said that motorcycles surrounded the trooper’s cruiser to block it, and almost hit the cruiser. The trooper then called off the chase due to safety concerns, according to state police.

The group continued toward the state line, where New York police were able to stop the truck.

The driver, 26-year-old Shaun Puglia, West Haven, was charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree breach of peace, interfering with an officer, reckless driving, disobeying the signal of an officer and knowingly inciting a street takeover. He was released on a $30,000 cash/surety bond.

The passenger, 24-year-old Ryley Lewis, of North Haven, was charged with second-degree breach of peace, failure to wear a safety seat belt and knowingly inciting in a street takeover. He has been released on a $20,000 cash/surety bond.

Puglia allegedly told police he didn’t know state police were trying to pull him over. Camera equipment was found in the truck’s bed.

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