New York City, NY — A 22-year-old Long Island man, accused of destroying nearly a dozen NYPD vehicles outside the department’s newest precinct in Queens, was arrested Tuesday night — only to be released under supervised conditions shortly after his arraignment, officials confirmed.
According to police, Christian Genwright, of Valley Stream, is alleged to have vandalized a total of 11 NYPD vehicles — including five marked and six unmarked cruisers — parked near the 116th Precinct headquarters on North Conduit Avenue in Rosedale. The incident reportedly occurred around 11:20 p.m. on Monday.
Authorities say Genwright used a knife to slash the tires of seven police vehicles, then shattered the windshields of four others using a hammer. One cruiser even suffered an airbag deployment and damage to its driver’s-side mirror due to the force of the impact.
Police Track Down Getaway Vehicle
The suspect allegedly fled the scene in a silver Lexus, prompting a search. On Tuesday around 8:40 p.m., officers spotted the car on 244th Street. When they attempted to stop him, police say Genwright intentionally put the vehicle in reverse, nearly striking the officers’ cruiser.
He was taken into custody moments later.
Charges Filed — But No Bail Permitted
Genwright was charged with reckless endangerment, 14 counts of criminal mischief, resisting arrest, and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon, according to the NYPD.
However, during his arraignment on Wednesday night, he faced 10 counts of criminal mischief listed in the criminal complaint, as per The Post.
Despite the extensive damage and the dangerous confrontation with police, Judge Jennifer Tubridy ordered Genwright released on supervised release, as none of the charges qualify for bail under New York State law, the Queens District Attorney’s Office said.
The decision sparked immediate criticism from some observers, who questioned why such a series of alleged offenses didn’t allow for bail consideration.
Suspect Has Six Prior Arrests
Authorities revealed that Genwright has six previous arrests on his record. His most recent case — on February 7 — involved alleged traffic violations, fleeing police, and becoming “combative” during the encounter, according to officials.
He is scheduled to return to court on January 21 for the latest vandalism case.
A Target Near the City’s Newest Precinct
The location of the incident has also drawn attention. The 116th Precinct, which cost nearly $105 million, opened in December 2024, making it the first newly established NYPD command in more than a decade — the last being launched in 2013.
The precinct serves the neighborhoods of Rosedale, Springfield Gardens, Brookville, and Laurelton, and its establishment was celebrated as a major investment in public safety for Southeast Queens.
Now, less than a year later, officials are dealing with one of the most extensive acts of vandalism on NYPD property in recent memory.
Investigation Ongoing
Police continue to investigate whether the attack was planned, spontaneous, or part of a larger motive. The NYPD has not released additional details regarding potential surveillance footage or connections to prior incidents.
Residents in the surrounding neighborhoods expressed concern, noting that the vandalism occurred at a time when the precinct is still establishing its footing in the community.
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