What defines a street takeover?
Takeovers, also referred to as “sideshows,” involve blocking off intersections and speeding or showing
off stunts like drifting, donuts and ghost riding — when the driver jumps out of the car while it's in
motion to dance or perform near or on the car before jumping back in to take over the vehicle.
On September 4,2023, at 1:47 am, Milburn police Officer Recinos and multiple police units responded to
the area of South Orange Ave and White Oak Ridge Road to assist Livingston PD on a flash mob “street
takeover”. There were multiple vehicles eluding police and driving recklessly by doing donuts and
burnouts in this intersection. Vehicles had their license plates folded and covered to mask their
identities. The street takeover ended up east at the intersection of South Orange Ave and Brookside
drive. There was approximately 50 people walking around this intersection pointing laser lights and
throwing objects. Officer Recinos exited his unmarked police vehicle and approached the intersection to
disperse the crowd, which they started to comply. As Officer Recinos was walking back to his unmarked
police vehicle, he observed a slender Hispanic male with a beard stab his vehicle’s tire with a pocket
knife puncturing the tire making the police vehicle disabled. This suspect then entered his vehicle a 2012
Chrysler 300. The vehicle then came inches from striking Officer Recinos, and Officer Recinos had to
jump out of the way at the last second. Officer Recinos was able to obtain the vehicle license plate of
the suspect vehicle. The vehicle was registered to Damien Ortiz, age 18, of Lyndhurst NJ. Officer Recinos
positively identified Damien Ortiz as the suspect that punctured the police vehicle tire. This vehicle was
later located parked in front of the owner’s house. The vehicle was impounded and brought to Millburn
Police HQ, where a search warrant was secured. A warrant for Ortiz arrest was obtained and he was
arrested the next day. He was charged with purpose to commit a riot, possession of a weapon for
unlawful purpose, aggravated assault, eluding police, criminal mischief and obstructing public passages,
along with multiple traffic violations. He was lodged in Essex County Jail. The vehicle was searched and
revealed a knife in the driver’s side door. That another Millburn Police vehicle was struck while the
multiple vehicles were exiting the area.
Millburn Police Detective Royce began to investigate this incident and was able to identify another
vehicle involved in this incident. The vehicle was a 2008 red Nissan 350z caught doing burnouts which
was posted on a social media account. The driver was identified as Moustafa Shalabi out of South
Plainfield NJ. He was charged with participating in a riot and obstructing public passages, along with
multiple traffic violations. This incident remains under investigation by the Millburn Detective bureau.
These are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or
are found guilty in a court of law.
