What to Know
- A driver allegedly crashed into several cars in Brooklyn, then dropped a gun as he tried to leave the scene, police said
- At some point during the incident, the man allegedly drove on the sidewalk, according to police
- Police who arrived at the scene found civilians holding the man in custody
An off-duty Coast Guardsman tackled a driver who allegedly crashed into several cars in Brooklyn and dropped a gun as he tried to flee the scene, officials said.
Police responding to two calls reporting an accident and a person with a gun near Troy Avenue and President Street in Crown Heights around 2:30 p.m. on Friday found civilians holding a man in custody, the NYPD said.
A preliminary investigation determined the man was driving a Jaguar sedan that hit several cars on President Street, police said.
At some point during the incident, the man allegedly jumped a curb and drove onto the sidewalk, according to police.
The man then got out of his vehicle and tried to walk away, at which point a civilian saw him drop a gun and tackled him, the NYPD said.
Sources told News 4 the civilian was an off-duty Coast Guard member.
Local
A spokesperson for the United States Coast Guard confirmed that the incident involved a New York area Coast Guardsman "acting in the capacity of a good Samaritan."
Police say the driver may have been intoxicated when the incident took place. His name wasn't immediately released and charges are pending.
