Police arrested a 21-year-old Florida man for taking part in destroying a yellow cab in Manhattan after the Knicks’ miracle comeback victory in Game 4 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden.
Saul Vargas, of St. Cloud, Florida, was part of a mob of men who jumped on the hood and roof of the squad car and smashed its windows on June 11, cops said — although they didn’t specify what Vargas’ direct involvement was.
Viral video in showed a group of brazenly perched atop the wrecked vehicle and brandishing a Palestinian flag, but cops said Vargas was not one of the people seen in the clip.
The footage, filmed around 12:30 a.m. on June 11 at the corner of 36th Street and Seventh Avenue, was shot as thousands swarmed the streets of Midtown in a celebration that turned violent after the Knicks rallied from a 29-point deficit to beat the San Antonio Spurs, 107-106.
Knicks fans smashing the taxi cab while holding a Palestinian flag. Sam Hartson (FreedomNewsTV)
People seen on top of the cab. Sam Hartson (FreedomNewsTV)
The taxi had its window smashed in. Anadolu via Getty Images
Vargas, who was charged with one count of criminal mischief, turned himself in Monday night at the Midtown South precinct.
Cops arrested 56 people that night for a smattering of charges including assault on a police officer, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal mischief.
Of those, 41 were released with summonses.