A 22-year-old migrant from Ecuador was arrested after taking a historic fireboat on an unauthorized journey down the Hudson River, per the NY Post. The suspect, Juan Hernandez, who is homeless, began his escapade on the former FDNY-owned John J. Harvey vessel in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Hernandez untied the ropes holding the decommissioned fireboat to a pier in Chelsea and floated downstream. After about 30 minutes, he became stuck near another pier in the area. Hernandez then abandoned the fireboat, jumping into the cold water and swimming to land. From there, he hopped onto a 25-foot sailboat owned by the Hudson River Community Sailing School.
He attempted to take that sailboat but was unsuccessful, reports note. He continued his journey for another half-hour until reaching Pier 51 in the West Village. Someone witnessed him on the boat and alerted the police. The NYPD’s Harbor Unit responded to the call and they later found Hernandez lying down on the ground. He was apprehended at approximately 3:40 a.m. and now faces charges of grand larceny auto.
Hernandez has no prior arrests and no history with the NYPD as an
“emotionally disturbed person,”
authorities told The Post. According to sources, the individual reportedly entered the United States unlawfully via El Paso, Texas in 2022. When he arrived he reportedly informed federal immigration authorities in Boston that he had family in the area. However, it is alleged that he failed to appear for his immigration court hearings in Boston.
#Clique, what are your thoughts?
