Four Cuffed In Police Drag Racing Bust
Officers from the 108th Precinct have slammed the brakes on six drag racers for endangering public safety by speeding down a section of Laurel Hill Boulevard in Woodside, according to police, it was reported.
Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown and Police Commissioner Bill Bratton announced Monday, Apr. 7 the arrests of six men-Michael Rivera, 21 of Manhattan, Shawn Marr, 19 of Uniondale, Michael James, 25, of Brooklyn, Antonio Nolesco, 23, of Manhattan, Edgar Lozano, 26, of Jamaica and Edward Henry, 21, of St. Albans-on charges of second-degree reckless endangerment, violations of the vehicle traffic law, reckless driving and speed contest.
Each defendant faces up to one year in prison if convicted.
Rivera, Marr, James and Nolesco are alleged to have participated in races between 1:15 and 1:40 a.m., while Lozano and Henry are alleged to have acted as flagmen for several races, law enforcement sources said.
In a press release, Brown said “Turning the streets of Queens into speedways endangers not only innocent pedestrians but [also] the spectators and drivers who are drawn to these dangerous spectacles. Such illegal speed contests have no place on the streets of our city.”
Brown said officers were able to effect the arrests by boxing in the drivers and blocking Laurel Hill Boulevard from 48th Street to 58th Street with barricade trucks and vans.
“These arrests send a clear message that disregarding the safety and welfare of Queens residents will not be tolerated,” Bratton said.
Residents reacted at the COMET the meeting Monday, Apr. 7 and were told of the arrests during an update on crime in the area by Capt. Hugh Bogle, 108th Precinct executive officer
Rosemarie Daraio, COMET Civic Association president said the drivers pose a threat not just to other motorists, but crowds that gather to watch pose a safety issue as well.
“There can be 400 spectators there,” Daraio said.
Drivers congregate at area gas stations or fast food places, then head to locations where races are held on public streets. To combat crowds watching, officers also gave summonses to 57 others that were watching the races, Bogle reported.
According to multiple police sources and the Queens DA’s office, four cars were seized in connection with the arrests. These vehicles will be searched with warrants to determine if they were illegally altered to add extra horsepower or performance.
Four smartphones were also seized. Police will examine the phones to find out if the defendants posted any photos or videos regarding planning or participating in races on social media, it was reported.
To Daraio, the issue is “a serious, serious problem.”
Bogle knows drag races along this strip have been an ongoing problem and his command is dedicated to root out these reckless drivers, particularly after Mayor Bill de Blasio made traffic and pedestrian safety a priority of his administration.
Bogle said going forward the precinct will keep a watchful eye on popular racing corridors “and look to see if people are there.” He also said the precinct will conduct “sweeps” once a month and “continue to monitor it and make sure they get the message.”
Daraio asked the meeting to call their local precinct if they hear or see a dag race, or become aware of a potentially dangerous situation developing.
“If you hear something you should call the precinct,” she said.
Assistant District Attorney Oscar W. Ruiz, deputy bureau chief of the District Attorney’s Special Proceedings Bureau is prosecuting the case under the supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney of the Investigations Division Peter A. Crusco and Deputy Executive Assistant District Attorney for Investigations Division Linda M. Cantoni.
