Overview
- The NYPD arrested 22-year-old Asil Assaidi on Thursday, charging him with reckless endangerment, riot, criminal mischief, unlawful assembly, reckless driving, aggravated unlicensed operation and driving without insurance.
- Detectives say they identified him by reviewing surveillance footage, bystander videos and social media, and they report seven suspects are still being sought.
- The takeover at Eliot Avenue and 69th Street early Saturday featured cars doing donuts around a ring of fire near two gas stations, and two men jumped on a marked police car, cracking its windshield.
- Police seized two vehicles tied to the meetup, including one they say belongs to Assaidi, and his arraignment in Queens Criminal Court is pending.
- Officials called for accountability as the NYPD touted a wider effort that has shut down 61 takeovers this year, leading to 51 arrests and 62 vehicle seizures.