Soccer Celebration Leads To Arrests

From city police spokesman Bill Kaempffer:

Four people were arrested Monday during a large celebration following a World Cup match.

A large number of people in vehicles and on foot flooded the streets in the area of Madison Avenue Monday evening at the conclusion of a soccer match. Police set up traffic points to help manage the crowds.

At 6:11 p.m., an officer directing traffic observed a Honda Civic doing a “burn out” in the middle of the road, revving its engine and spinning its tires. Officers flagged down the motorist, Filipe Rodrigues-DeSouza, 23, of Bridgeport, after he almost struck another vehicle.

He was detained and stated that he didn’t have a license and that he had borrowed the car. Inside the vehicle, police located a glass jar containing marijuana along with multiple cell phones, a scale, clear plastic baggies and a grinder.

Rodrigues-DeSouza was charged with possession of marijuana, possession with intent to sell within 1500 feet of a school, operating a drug factory and various motor vehicle charges. Bond was set at $10,000.

At 9 p.m., police were advised of a man who was unconscious after being assaulted with a bottle.

Officers verified medical assistance was en route and attempted to keep the victim still until an ambulance arrived. The crowd became hostile, however. Police detained one person who was covered with blood and attempting to incite the crowd and a man who attempted to tackle the officer.

Three people were arrested in the incident. Antonio Garcia, 30, of West Haven, was charged with assault on a police officer, breach of peace and interfering with police. Bond was set at $50,000.

Shannon Mahoney, 22, of Stratford, was charged with assault on a police officer, breach of peace, interfering with police and inciting a riot. Her bond was set at $25,000.

Daniel Carrasco, 46, of Hamden, was charged with breach of peace and his bond was set at $500.