NYC car theft ring prompts police response in Queens
LINDENWOOD, Queens — Dozens of officers in full protective gear and brandishing long guns responded to a Queens home Wednesday morning to arrest a suspect in connection with a stolen car ring, according to New York State Police.
'It was state police, NYPD, Homeland Security,' said P.J. Marcel, who lives in the neighborhood, and watched the situation develop. 'They had drones, they had the robo-dog,' he said, referring to the NYPD's four-legged robot that can be used in hostage situations.
Marcel, who runs Howard Beach Dads, a neighborhood activist group, recorded video of the scene, which showed one man taken into custody in handcuffs.
State Trooper Vincent Florio confirmed that the response was in relation to a car theft ring operating in the five boroughs, on Long Island, and farther away in New York State.
Residents reported hearing flash grenades, and then seeing snipers with guns drawn at around 11:00 a.m.
After more than an hour, they said, a man wearing nothing but a pair of underwear was seen in police custody on 80th Street, between 153rd and 155th Avenues.
Two vehicles, a Dodge and a BMW, were seized at the scene.
Florio said this is an ongoing investigation, and that the State Police will provide more information at a news conference on Thursday.
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