Residents have demanded accountability after approximately 100 cars took over the streets in Maspeth, Queens, causing chaos in the area. A large crowd gathered at the scene and set fire to the road so a vehicle could perform donuts around it. Several people also reportedly climbed a New York City Police Cruiser and damaged its windshield.
According to a report by ABC 7 Eyewitness News, the street takeover took place at 69th Street and Elliott Avenue in Maspeth, near a gas station, before 1:45 a.m. on Saturday.
A video posted on X by NYC Council member Phil Wong shows a silver BMW SUV doing donuts at the intersection around a ring of fire, while a person sitting inside waves a Palestinian flag.
Soon after, another BMW starts doing donuts. Just when the NYPD cruiser arrived, the cars, parked by the side of the road, began to flee. The video ends before the police take action to disperse the crowd.
Read More from MotorBiscuit:
- Ferrari Purosangue Owner Blames NYC Cop After No-Parking Boot Allegedly Damaged $16,000 Rim
- LA Biker’s Terrifying Escape From a Vengeful Crossover: “He Tried to Run Me Off the Road”
- LA Thieves Strip Custom Nissan 370Z to the Bone, Taunt the Owner as Police Allegedly Do Nothing
The report states that people jumped on the marked NYPD cruiser and broke its windshield. The police then spent most of the day identifying those involved in the illegal gathering.
Wong posted on X that such meetups will not be tolerated. He wrote:
“I’ve seen the videos of the car takeover at 69th Street and Eliot Ave, and it’s disgusting. We are not putting up with this garbage in our neighborhood.
“I’ve asked for a full debrief from the precinct captain, and next week I’m sitting down with Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch to make sure this doesn’t happen again.
“We’ve also been dealing with these car meetups blasting music, and that’s part of the same quality of life issue we’re addressing head on.”
We’ve also been dealing with these car meetups blasting music, and that’s part of the same quality of life issue we’re addressing head on.
— Phil Wong (@PhilWongNYC) April 18, 2026
An eyewitness told ABC 7 Eyewitness News that the loud noises woke them up:
“We heard screeching and reaching. I actually woke us up. And then we ran to the side window and just continuously, just like you smell like the rubber. It was pure automotive em. They were set up like just waiting to take the turn in and out of the gas station.”
Another eyewitness added:
“And that, which I think is insane by a gas station. That’s so, you know, idiot to do that.”
One resident commented on how dangerous the stunt was:
“Somebody could hit the shop. They could have crashed into the gas stations.”
Another termed the street takeover as an attack on the city:
“This is craziness. This is where people live. This is an attack on our city. Track down the people. Figure out where they are, tow their car, suspend their license.”
No injuries were reported from the incident. Authorities stated that a summons was issued to a driver who blocked a crosswalk.
