Detectives from the NYPD’s Warrant Squad collared a Bronx man and charged him with a slew of crimes in connection to the chaotic street takeover in Middle Village early Saturday morning.
Asil Assaidi, 22, of Williamsbridge Road in the Pelham Bay section of the borough, was booked Thursday morning at the 104th Precinct in Ridgewood, where he was charged with two counts of reckless endangerment, two counts of riot two counts of criminal mischief and other related crimes, less than a day after Council Member Phil Wong met with NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch to discuss the investigation at One Police Plaza.
Assaidi was seen smiling as he was escorted out of the 104th Precinct, and the only word he said was, “No.” He was talking to friends of his who were across the street filming his walk, and they were all laughing.
“The arrest of Asil Assaidi on charges including reckless endangerment, riot, and criminal mischief is an important first step toward holding those responsible accountable,” Wong said Thursday. “What happened was reckless, dangerous, and completely unacceptable.”
Assaidi allegedly drove one of the 100 vehicles that were involved in the takeover at the intersection on Eliot Avenue and 69th Street where drivers burned rubber as they did donuts and drifted around a ring of fire set at the intersection dangerously close to two gas stations just before 2 a.m. on Saturday.
“This individual is not the only one who will face consequences. More arrests are coming, and they should,” Wong said. “Anyone who participated in this chaos and endangered lives must be held accountable. But enforcement alone is not enough. We need to prevent events like this from happening again.”
It is unclear if Assaidi was one of the eight suspects who were captured on surveillance camera during the riotous car meetup that was released by the NYPD. Hours after his arrest, video of Assaidi performing stunts during the takeover was posted on the NYPD’s social media platforms along with a statement from Commissioner Tisch…