French Tourists In NYC Police Chase From Kennedy Airport

Five French tourists got a harrowing start to their New York visit: a wild police chase.

Authorities say the visitors mistakenly followed a hustler to an unlicensed van at Kennedy Airport.

A policeman reached through the window to take the keys. But the driver sped off, knocking the officer to the ground. Other police gave chase.

Esther-Ethy Mamane of Paris told the New York Post that she and her fellow passengers "screamed and prayed."

She says it was "like something from a film."

The van sped along a highway and residential streets, hitting a gate and a truck. The suspects jumped out while the van was still moving. Officers, with guns drawn, quickly arrested them.

One passenger suffered an arm injury.

Comments

[LMPE]

01:36 AM on 06/25/2009

They're lucky that this took place in New York. Anywhere in the south, the cops - aided by the KKK - probably would have killed the French people.

[dct1999]

06:49 PM on 06/24/2009

The cops are azzwholes. They shouldn't have endangered so many innocent people.

[thepoliticalcat]

04:04 PM on 06/24/2009

Good grief! Welcome to the U.S.A., tourists!

[RicanNewYorker]

03:04 PM on 06/24/2009

Only in New York. God I love this city.

[Vectorbabe]

02:46 PM on 06/24/2009

These unlicensed limos and vans are a real problem at Kennedy Airport. The only thing I'm surprised about is that a policeman tried to stop the illegal van from leaving the airport. Usually the drivers are given free reign to look for tourists to rip off.

What is needed are undercover police, posing as tourists, to accept the offer of "taxi?" and then arrest the drivers.

After a few weeks of them getting huge fines, they might stop preying on unsuspecti­ng visitors.

Meanwhile, everyone coming to NYC needs to know the following:

The only place to get a legal cab ride into the city is at the yellow taxi lines (queues). The only type of legal cab from the airport is painted yellow.

Drivers can not solicited passengers in the terminal or on the sidewalk waiting for a cab.

Limo drivers are not cab drivers.

Limos must be arranged by telephone to come and pick up passengers­.

There are no legal limos that pick up without a prior telephone arrangemen­t.

Non-yellow cabs could be driven by criminals who will overcharge you. Or worse, rob you or hurt you.

[TJCole]

02:36 PM on 06/24/2009

Sacre Bleu..!

[Aabby]

02:33 PM on 06/24/2009

If I can make it there,
I'd make it anywhere
Come on, come through,
New York, New Yoooooorrr­rrrrrrk

I love my city but his is a bit much :)

[unami]

02:30 PM on 06/24/2009

This is drawing conclusion­s from a limited sample of one. I was ripped off in Paris by a speeding, odorific well-dress­ed female taxi driver yet I traveled to Paris, again and again.

[Hare]

02:08 PM on 06/24/2009

NYC where dreams became real...nig­htmare

[feltdizz]

01:56 PM on 06/24/2009

welcome to NY.. duck mother####­#

[condor101]

01:45 PM on 06/24/2009

Those suspects are facing big charges: Assault on an officer, kidnapping of each tourist, etc. They will probably take a plea and get at least 15 years in jail. Justice deserved.
Oh, by the way, Madoff's lawyer wants his client to get a 12 year sentence for stealing billions of dollars. Where is the justice?

[jl4141]

02:28 PM on 06/24/2009

Wow, I am impressed -- you sure know a lot for a person who knows nothing!