NEW YORK — An off-duty undercover police detective was arrested late Tuesday after investigators said he was shown on video hitting and kicking an SUV when a biker rally spiraled into violence.
Wojciech Braszczok surrendered to face riot and criminal-mischief charges, New York Police Department spokesman John McCarthy said.
Braszczok was expected to make a court appearance Wednesday. There was no response to phone messages left with his attorney.
The attorney, Phil Karasyk, had said Monday that the detective, a 10-veteran of the force, had only witnessed other bikers attacking the vehicle. But investigators discovered video evidence showing him punching an already damaged back window, then twice kicking the side of the SUV before leaving the scene, according to two people familiar with the case. The people weren’t authorized to discuss the inquiry and spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.
The arrest added to the complexities of the Sept. 29 episode, which authorities say began with a reckless motorcycle group ride on a Manhattan highway and ended with one motorcyclist run over and the driver dragged from his SUV and beaten on a street.
Four other bikers have been criminally charged.
