Citi Field Streaker Gets Fine, Community Service

In May, a man was arrested after running out onto Citi Field—wearing a thong (with a monkey stuffed animal)—and trying to slide into second base. Yesterday, Craig Coakley was fined $3,000 and sentenced to 20 days of community service. The 29-year-old showed off his Mets chest tattoo to the Post yesterday and said, "I would love to do my service at Citi Field. I have no problem scraping gum off the floor." Unfortunately, Queens DA Richard Brown pointed out, "The defendant’s antics have resulted in a criminal record, the paying of thousands of dollars in fines and civil penalties, and - perhaps the worse punishment for any true Mets fan - precludes him from ever again visiting Citi Field or any of the New York Mets other venues - such as KeySpan Park in Brooklyn or Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie, Florida," adding that his office and the Mets "have zero tolerance for those who interfere with the play of America’s pastime." Still, Coakley noted that he didn't try to kiss a Mets player, like a US Open fan did with Rafael Nadal recently. After the jump: Coakley being tackled by Citi Field security.

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By Jen Chung in News on September 11, 2009 9:49 AM

Comments [rss]

Wza

Most excitement the Mets have had all year.

theevilone

Being banned from seeing the Mets play seems like a reward.

nomnomnom

They should make him do his community service outside Yankee Stadium.

hotstepper

what?! no fine for monkey abuse?

nyorker555

the guy was harmless -- community service is fine but the 3k fine is totally uncalled for.

NannyState

Revenge is easy: just ring Fred Wilpon and tell him you can guarantee a "steady annual 12% return on his investments"...

ANGRYGOD11

The judge is supposed to take his income into account when deciding a fine. $3000 can break some people, however for some it's just not enough to cover a night out.

Jen Chung

I think the fine is so high because they want to discourage people from doing it. If it's just community service, someone might think, "Oh, I'll get 20 days community service? I'll do it!"

whitecastlerock

The Wilpons should be banned for life-not this poor meat head...

gtraindelay

how are these lifetime bans enforced, really? What's to say he doesn't grow a mustache and come back in 5 years, provided he has a buddy buy him a ticket?

Thespis

Hmm -- I don't know. Maybe it's like a revoked driving license. It's not so much that they can really stop you from driving (there are cars everywhere). Rather, it's that if they catch you driving, you're in deep shit. (Or you're supposed to be, at least.)

So maybe here they know he'll probably sneak into some games, pay with cash, etc. But if he does anything in the stadium that attracts a cop's attention enough to check ID...he's violating a court order, and does not collect $200.

imadick

the court only banned him for a year.

fuck the mets,

Peter

Retail chains routinely do the same thing with respect to shoplifters.

SC

I've wondered the same. What's to say he doesn't change his appearance at all, and buys a ticket himself, tomorrow? I mean, it's not like they're going to have his picture posted at the gates... and not like the ticket-takers would notice or care.