A Carroll Gardens woman said a couple on a motorized scooter saved her cell phone from the hands of a thief last week. The victim said she was walking her dog while talking on her cell phone on the evening of August 10th. As she bent to pick up her dog's "business," a 13-year-old and his accomplice rushed up and snatched the phone from her hand. But like lightning, a couple on a Vespa swooped in and chased the kids to Union Street, where the woman jumped off, grabbed the phone, and jumped back on to ride away. Cops arrested the teen and the phone was returned. All in a day's work for the Brooklyn Vespers! more ›

Responding to outrage from Council Member Letitia James and the friends and family of Aileen McKay-Dalton, the Brooklyn District Attorney's office has announced an investigation into the crash that killed the Vespa-driving mother of three in Fort Greene last Thursday. At least three witnesses say the driver of the SUV that killed McKay-Dalton had sped through a red light, but the NYPD decided that no criminality was involved. The NYPD's decision was particularly suspicious because the unidentified driver was reportedly a member of a federal law enforcement agency. more ›

Despite three witnesses who say that the driver of an SUV blew through a red light and killed a Vespa-driving Fort Greene mother of three, the NYPD decided that there was no criminality involved in the accident. And one of the witnesses says the cop on the scene could not have cared less about what she observed at the intersection of Clinton and DeKalb Avenue, where Aileen McKay-Dalton, 40, lost her life. more ›

Police have identified the victim of yesterday's deadly collision as Aileen McKay-Dalton, 40, mother of three. One neighbor said her powder blue Vespa was her "pride and joy, after her children, " and her husband, Michael Dalton, said, "She was everything. It's just so horrible, I can't even talk." Both McKay-Dalton and the SUV driver were taken to Woodhill Hospital following the crash, where McKay-Dalton was pronounced dead and the SUV driver was treated for chest pains. Though witnesses say it was the SUV that ran the red light, a Police investigation has yet to officially confirm that. However, they have determined that the SUV is registered with the Treasury Department. more ›

Last night an unidentified 40-year-old woman died from head trauma sustained during a collision with an SUV Ford Explorer in Fort Greene around 5:30 p.m. Witnesses say she was heading west on DeKalb Avenue and making a right turn on Clinton Avenue when the SUV ran the red light heading north on Clinton. Initial accounts suggested that the driver was an undercover detective with the NYPD, and that the vehicle was equipped with police lights. more ›

Last year Vespa drivers were removing their license plates and scratching off their VIN numbers in order to avoid getting ticketed for illegally parking. Now the NY Post reports that motorcycle and scooter enthusiasts have formed a task force! more ›

Ever seen a Vespa with a parking ticket on it? It seems most owners—and the NY Post is looking at you Matthew Broderick and Liev Schreiber—are going to great measures to avoid getting ticketed for illegally parking. But beware, Vespians, the paper reports that "Cops are cracking down on hipster Vespa owners who've taken to removing the vehicle-identification numbers from their rides." more ›

Yesterday around 4 p.m. word came in on the newswire that there was a "motorcycle down" on, or just before, the Williamsburg Bridge—towards the Manhattan side. Shortly after an update came in saying the accident was fatal. There aren't many details beyond those available yet, but eyewitnesses say the motorcycle was actually a Vespa, and it was hit (and totaled) by a black car. The Vespa driver is the one who died, and URB Magazine reports it was deejay Josh Link (friends are confirming on Twitter). Many witnessed the scene, which has been described as bloody, and one even posted their thoughts on Craigslist, noting that late last night there were burning candles where the crash happened. UPDATE: It has been confirmed that Josh Link was the victim in this sad accident, and services will be held on Long Island tomorrow. more ›