NYPD searches for suspect who stole tow truck and crashed it into parked cars

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11) — The NYPD is looking for a man who stole a tow truck in Brooklyn when the driver wouldn’t unhitch his pickup truck, according to police and video.

As the suspect sped away in the tow truck, his pickup truck, which was still attached on the back, swayed and crashed into several parked cars on 53rd Street off Second Avenue.

The entire incident was caught on multiple surveillance cameras and bystanders’ cell phones.

A witness who didn’t want to be identified told PIX 11 News, “This situation is ridiculous” and described it as a “grand theft auto moment in real life.”

He said he saw the suspect drive off down the block in the tow truck after first trying to free his pickup from the hitch.

“Literally spinning his wheels off the tow truck rig, that clearly had his tow truck on it, there was no way that was coming off,” he said.

Police said it happened around 10:40 a.m. Sept. 6, when officers responded to a 911 robbery call in front of 170 53 St. in Sunset Park.

The suspect abandoned the tow truck at Third Avenue and 55th Street after his pickup truck fell off the rig at the corner of Second Avenue and 53rd Street. The male was last seen fleeing on foot.

The tow truck operator suffered minor injuries and refused medical attention at the scene.

A 62-year-old male inside one of the parked vehicles suffered minor injuries and was removed by EMS to NYU Langone Hospital- Brooklyn in stable condition.

Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org , downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

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