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by MIKE CERULLO, NBC 10 NEWS
NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI (WJAR) — The North Kingstown Police Department arrested two people in connection with a large car meet-up on Thursday.
The department says there were about 200 vehicles in the area of 200 Frenchtown Road, Precision Park.
Police reported several cars doing burnouts.
Participants told NBC 10 News it's an annual tradition known by many as the Turkey Burn.
"It's just a group of people that get together and enjoy the day before we all sit down with our families and eat turkey," said Michael England.
"We're not that street takeover type thing," said Derek Armillotto. "We go to separate parking lots that are far away from anyone else, be as safe as we possibly can."
The department arrested 42-year-old England of East Greenwich for allegedly threatening a public official and disorderly conduct.
England claimed as police were breaking up the event, a cruiser hit his car.
"My car was parked on the side of the road, not running, keys not in it, windows up, locked and a officer sideswiped my car," England said.
He filmed the aftermath. In the video, there appears to be damage to the police cruiser.
"I started yelling at him. He got out. Saw the damage of his car, said for me not to worry about it, and he got back in his car and left," England said.
North Kingstown police said on Friday in a statement, "We can confirm that a police cruiser made contact with Mr. England’s parked vehicle. The impact resulted in minor damage to the edge of Mr. England’s passenger-side mirror and scratches to the police cruiser."
England was taken into custody a short time later.
The department says there were about 200 vehicles in the area of 200 Frenchtown Road, a Precision Park facility. (WJAR)
The department says there were about 200 vehicles in the area of 200 Frenchtown Road, a Precision Park facility. (WJAR)
Police said they also arrested 40-year-old Armillotto of Bristol for reckless driving. Police previously said he also faced a charge of disorderly conduct, but has since said he was charged with vandalism instead.
"Unbeknownst to me it was an illegal, unsanctioned event," Armillotto said.
Armillotto told NBC 10 News he's been to several sanctioned car meet ups in the area.
"I have a truck that's built in representation of type 1 diabetes awareness, trying to put out a good message out there. It's always good vibes. It's never malicious intent to harm anybody or put anybody in danger," he said.
He said police took down his information as he was leaving just like they did with everyone else, but he was then pulled over and arrested.
He was driving a trailer with a car on top, but claims he did not drive that car during the North Kingstown event.
"I was already obedient and listened to all their commands, did as they asked," Armillotto said. "Never once gave them a hard time or made the situation more difficult than it had to be."
Both were arraigned and released on Thursday.
According to police, everyone present was temporarily detained and given no-trespass orders.
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