Crime & Safety
Teen Accused Of Reckless Endangerment In Queensboro Bridge Stunt
The 18-year-old Manhattanite was arrested Thursday after he climbed the Queensboro Bridge and livestreamed the stunt on YouTube, police say.
LONG ISLAND CITY, QUEENS — An 18-year-old Manhattan boy was charged with reckless endangerment and criminal trespass Thursday after climbing the Queensboro Bridge and livestreaming the stunt on YouTube, according to police.
Malik Sanchez, who uses the moniker Smooth Sanchez IRL on YouTube, is being held at central booking pending arraignment, a police spokesperson said Friday morning.
He was also charged with unlawful possession of pepper spray.
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The East Village resident started his ascent just before 5 p.m. Thursday.
"I don't know about you, but wouldn't it be exciting if we could get a great shot of the city?" he said at the start of the 90-minute livestreamed video of the stunt. "We would really be the king of New York."
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About an hour later, a team of NYPD Emergency Service Unit officers strapped on their harnesses and got the teen down from his perch high above the East River.
He was then taken into custody.
#HappeningNow:
An individual recklessly climbed the 59th Street Bridge & was subsequently taken into custody by #ESU.
He was arrested & will he charged with multiple crimes. pic.twitter.com/SAxsaJo7OK
— NYPD Special Ops (@NYPDSpecialops) October 22, 2020
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