Say Maspeth Man Stole Idling Car
Stealing a luxury car left idling on a Maspeth street and going for a joyride reportedly landed a neighborhood man behind bars last Wednesday night, Mar. 20.
Police identified the alleged thief as 24-year-old Vlad Iancu of 69th Street.
Law enforcement sources said the trouble began at around 10:34 p.m. last Wednesday at the corner of 69th Street and Grand Avenue.
According to information provided by the Queens District Attorney’s office, a man driving a 2010 BMW sedan parked his ride at the location, then left the keys in the ignition and the engine running as he visited a nearby convenience store.
Within seconds, it is alleged, Iancu found the car, hopped into the driver’s seat and sped away from the location. The luxury car’s owner called police upon noticing that his vehicle was gone.
Officers from the 104th Precinct responded to the incident. One of the officers en route to the location in a marked patrol car reportedly ob- served the stolen vehicle-with Iancu behind the wheel-traveling on the Long Island Expressway’s eastbound service road approaching the 71st Street entrance ramp.
Police said the officer activated the sirens and lights in an attempt to stop the vehicle, but Iancu allegedly pulled away, traveling onto the entrance ramp and the eastbound Long Island Expressway, leading to a pursuit .
A short time later, Iancu was reportedly found by police stopped on Francis Lewis Boulevard near the Long Island Expressway, about seven miles east of Maspeth.
In statements made to police, according to the criminal complaint, Iancu admitted to taking the car for a joyride and planned on returning it when he was finished.
Iancu was charged with thirdand fourth-degree grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, resisting arrest and unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle.
According to court records, Iancu was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court the following day, Thursday, Mar. 21, before Judge Gia Morris, who released him on his own recognizance. He is scheduled to return to court on Apr. 26.
