Chaos erupted in Queens yesterday morning when a group of individuals vandalized three NYPD vehicles. The incident occurred around 1 a.m. along Rockaway Boulevard in Ozone Park and involved damage such as broken windows and dented doors, inflicted, at least in part, by traffic cones. Commissioner Jessica Tisch was quoted in the New York Post piece, declaring that multiple arrests have been made.
Video footage from the scene showed several individuals surrounding the police vehicles, with some even going so far as to mount the cars and smash the windows. Amidst the chaos, police sirens blared and attempts to quickly back away were made by the battered vehicles. The New York Post described one person using a traffic cone to crack the windshield of an unmarked car, while others joined in to cause further damage. The NYPD has confirmed that three of their cars suffered from broken windows and dents.
No injuries were reported during this incident, but authorities are still actively searching for more individuals involved in the vandalism and the reckless driving that took place the night prior. Footage provided by ABC 7 New York shows most of the suspects wearing masks, adding a layer of difficulty to their identification and capture.
The NYPD released images of several more suspects, which were included in the Post report. To combat the lawlessness, mayoral hopeful Curtis Sliwa promised in his statement to the New York Post, "Our officers are the best in the world, but we must let them do their jobs without fear, hesitation, or political interference." He stressed the need to restore order and offered a vision of returning to a New York cherished by its residents.
Among the individuals arrested were Jordi Montesquieu of Massachusetts and two teenagers from New Hampshire and Queens, as stated in the New York Post piece. Charges against them range from criminal mischief to reckless endangerment. One of the accused, Tristan Nandram, was specifically charged with stealing a bag from the back of a police car, which contained paperwork. The investigation is ongoing with the NYPD committing to further action in apprehending all involved.
