A plainclothes cop chased a scam artist through sidewalks crowded with holiday shoppers and tourists in the heart of Times Square, killing the suspect near a landmark Broadway hotel after a gunfight that shattered box office and gift shop windows. I love New York!
The 25-year-old chump, Raymond Martinez of the Bronx, and his brother were trying to dupe tourists into buying CDs along Broadway and 46th Street just before noon when he was recognized by a sergeant who runs a task force that monitors aggressive panhandling. An officer asked them for their tax identification, which allows peddlers to sell on the streets. But Martinez took off running, through to the Marriott Marquis hotel's passenger drop-off area.
Sgt. Christopher Newsom pursued, and Martinez turned and fired with a Mac-10 9mm machine pistol that held 30 rounds; he got off two shots before it jammed. Punk sucker! The officer fired four times, striking the suspect in the chest and arms and killing him. "We're lucky the weapon jammed," said the Police Commissioner. Everybody but Martinez.
The commissioner added the shooting preliminarily appeared to be within department guidelines, which allow for deadly force when an officer's life is threatened.
Police say Martinez and his brother, who is in custody, were working a scam in which they would approach tourists, ask them their names, then write the names on the CDs and demand payment of $10. They claim the CDs are original work they've created, but it's unclear if that's true. In any case, what moron would want to give them $10 for a CD that someone wrote their name on?
The brothers had already been given a summons by officers this year for not having identification. Martinez had been wanted for assault in the Bronx. The gun he used in the shooting was reported stolen in Virgina on Oct. 28. He also had with him several business cards from gun dealers there, but it's not clear if he was also selling weapons.
NYPD spokesman Paul Browne said officers pay special attention to scams and panhandling during the holidays. Specialized units are set up in areas, including Times Square and Canal Street, where stolen goods, knockoffs and scams are prevalent. And sometime, they have to shoot those crooked motherfuckers so they don't rip anyone off.
The 25-year-old chump, Raymond Martinez of the Bronx, and his brother were trying to dupe tourists into buying CDs along Broadway and 46th Street just before noon when he was recognized by a sergeant who runs a task force that monitors aggressive panhandling. An officer asked them for their tax identification, which allows peddlers to sell on the streets. But Martinez took off running, through to the Marriott Marquis hotel's passenger drop-off area.Sgt. Christopher Newsom pursued, and Martinez turned and fired with a Mac-10 9mm machine pistol that held 30 rounds; he got off two shots before it jammed. Punk sucker! The officer fired four times, striking the suspect in the chest and arms and killing him. "We're lucky the weapon jammed," said the Police Commissioner. Everybody but Martinez.
The commissioner added the shooting preliminarily appeared to be within department guidelines, which allow for deadly force when an officer's life is threatened.
Police say Martinez and his brother, who is in custody, were working a scam in which they would approach tourists, ask them their names, then write the names on the CDs and demand payment of $10. They claim the CDs are original work they've created, but it's unclear if that's true. In any case, what moron would want to give them $10 for a CD that someone wrote their name on?
The brothers had already been given a summons by officers this year for not having identification. Martinez had been wanted for assault in the Bronx. The gun he used in the shooting was reported stolen in Virgina on Oct. 28. He also had with him several business cards from gun dealers there, but it's not clear if he was also selling weapons.
NYPD spokesman Paul Browne said officers pay special attention to scams and panhandling during the holidays. Specialized units are set up in areas, including Times Square and Canal Street, where stolen goods, knockoffs and scams are prevalent. And sometime, they have to shoot those crooked motherfuckers so they don't rip anyone off.
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