French Tourists Get High-Speed "Hell Ride" In Van From JFK

Five French tourists got dragged on a crazy, high-speed chase after getting into an unlicensed livery van at JFK yesterday. The unwanted excitement started around 11 a.m. after Port Authority police spotted Ian McFarland, 57, hustling the newly-arrived French visitors from the Air France terminal to an unauthorized van. According to the Post, Officer Michael Bestany recognized McFarland as a "longtime steerer" of travelers to the illegal vans, and when Bestany reached into the vehicle to grab the keys, driver Khaalis Preacher floored it, knocking Bestany to the pavement, injuring his shoulder and knee. Captive tourist Gwen Dulugat, who injured her arm while trying to jump from the moving van, describes the high-speed chase that ensued: "It went very, very fast. We're going zoom, zoom, zoom. The police were fantastic. They were behind us all the time." Preacher led cops to East New York, where he finally crashed through the mechanical gate arm of a US Postal Service facility. The Post got great photos of the police, guns drawn, chasing down the two suspects and arresting them; the other tourists escaped with no injuries and an ultimate New York story.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By John Del Signore in News on June 24, 2009 11:12 AM

Comments [rss]

limoguy

the only way this happened was these guys did not pay off the PAPD. Gypsy operate in all NY airports all day and night freely as long as they pay the piper

matty

r1b2 is the only one having problems with the quadruple and quintuple posts. Weird.

r1b2

I've written to the editors to report this. No reply. Sorry. Really. But not sorry to you, jlevine.

jaycjay

Seriously, since it happens to you on almost every post and to everyone else only occasionally... it has to be something you're doing or on your end somehow.

I know that every time it has happened to me, I've hit "Submit" twice. I've learned that even if an error is reported or it just hangs for a couple of minutes, don't do that. Go do something else and come back later and refresh the page, and the post is usually going to be there.

r1b2

I've written to the editors to report this. No reply. Sorry. Really. But not sorry to you, jlevine.

hotstepper

every friggin' day on nearly every friggin' post.

r1b2

It was a typo, you douche-nozzle. I meant to write "provided our guests with a ride" but I omitted the words. Could be I got distracted by something. But no, you're probably right, you stupid twat, it's because I'm retarded.

Gnomie

You quadruple post when you're angry

r1b2

It was a typo, you douche-nozzle. I meant to write "provided our guests with a ride" but I omitted the words. Could be I got distracted by something. But no, you're probably right, you stupid twat, it's because I'm retarded.

r1b2

It was a typo, you douche-nozzle. I meant to write "provided our guests with a ride" but I omitted the words. Could be I got distracted by something. But no, you're probably right, you stupid twat, it's because I'm retarded.

r1b2

It was a typo, you douche-nozzle. I meant to write "provided our guests with a ride" but I omitted the words. Could be I got distracted by something. But no, you're probably right, you stupid twat, it's because I'm retarded.

SikBug

I've used these guys before, it's not bad when there is a 30+min wait for a cab at the airport. The guy I had was nice as hell, he's just trying to hustle like everyone else.

felixthecat2

Agreed, they are cheaper and faster but uninsured so SOL if there is an accident

Spirit of 76

The driver is an idiot. Instead of some minor charge and a fine for picking up illegal fares, now he gets to face charges of reckless endangerment, resisting arrest, illegal imprisonment, assaulting an officer and who knows what else.

felixthecat2

The ride was not as horrifying as the crap they seen in this city as they zoom zoom zoom

r1b2

So, uh, was the US Postal Service facility in East New York their final destination? "Welcome to New York, this is Da Hood, yo." I do hope NY's Finest provided our guests to their hotel.

detective jarvis

jeseus christ what is with all the fucking corny, lame exucuse for jokes on this thread.

"i do hope NY's finest provided our guests to their new hotel"

I mean really come on. are you retarded. that doesnt even mean anything

Liam

Cool photos

Radtard

Well Lil' Wayne's gotta do something between mixtapes

grandzu

With Air France they should just be glad the plane got to its destination.

What? Too soon?

detective jarvis

not too soon.. just lame unfunny joke

DanielJ

So what do they do once they've got them in the van? Kidnap them? or just take them to their hotel? If the latter, why don't they just apply for a license?

Gnomie

Getting a taxi medallion is damned near impossible in this city. There are only a limited number of medallions available at any given time, often they are sold or traded between drivers at upwards of 170k each. Just because this driver wants one doesn't mean he has any way of getting one

matty

Lol. It would be great if they were on the run from the police because they are trying to get their customers to their destinations in as quick, convenient and timely manner as possible.

Rocknrope

Sacre Blue and White!

nycviabos

Here's a novel idea for PA police (or whoever supposedly guards the airports): Kick out the ever-present touts offering rides at JFK BEFORE they end up leading the cops on a dangerous high-speed chase.