NEW YORK – A member of New York Attorney General Letitia James’ security detail is under internal investigation after viral video captured him forcefully handcuffing a young Orthodox Jewish woman following a minor traffic collision in Manhattan.
Join our WhatsApp groupSubscribe to our Daily Roundup Email
The incident occurred Wednesday, when the woman’s bronze Toyota made light contact with a black Ford Expedition — a vehicle assigned to James’ security team. The investigator, identified as retired NYPD detective Nelson Yu, is seen in the footage demanding identification from the woman, who was reportedly driving without a license.
“This is my car,” Yu says in the video. “Get out of the car and show some ID.” When she does not comply, he removes her from the vehicle, places her in handcuffs, and puts her in the back of his car. “Get in the car! You’re not going anywhere!” he shouts.
The arrest was ultimately voided.
The incident has sparked significant outrage in the Jewish community, with many calling it an unnecessary arrest and a clear overstep of authority. Community leaders have raised concerns about the aggressive handling of a low-level traffic incident and are demanding accountability.
Letitia James was not present at the time. Her office confirmed an internal investigation is underway. “OAG is investigating this matter internally and will not have further comment at this time,” a spokesperson said.
A lot of people here are missing the point. He’s not a police officer. He’s a security guard! Imagine getting into a fender bender and the guy jumps out and says I’m not a police officer but I’m a member of security detail for a politician – let me see your license! Do you think I would give it to him? Why would I? Why should I?
This is a complete misuse of force and power and a PR nightmare for James who really can’t afford it at this juncture. And while I’m sure it was traumatizing for the girl you could argue that she also hit the jackpot here. The settlement on this should be huge.
An abuse of power !
He needs to be prosecuted and punished.
He has to be punished for abducting this innocent Jewish woman
Just some facts here she was released from the scene. If u drive without a license then u get arrested. Additionally, he had no right to handcuff her or force her in to his car. Stupid move of him.
he needs to be arrested and charged with kidnapping
The car was insured. If her mother left her with the keys, then her mother is legally responsible (regardless if the insurance pays or not). But she definitely has a false arrest, and battery & assault case against Mr. Yu, and against the AG.
What are internal investigations worth?
Seh was with her mother her mother went into a store she was watching the car she had to move it and she lost control
No reason for the outrageous humiliation of needlessly handcuffing this lady. The NY AG’s Office has deep pockets and will lose a civil case. Most likely to be settled out of court because of bad publicity for corrupt Leticia James.
Why no.outrage from dov hikind
Heavy odds that she has a driver’s license by the mete fact her mother gave her the keys.which parent would give a child that doesnt have a driver’s license the keys to the car in manhattan
Does everybody remember that about three years ago, a frum person from Boro Park, was caught speeding in Vermont late at night, by an Vermont State Trooper? The driver was initially afraid to stop in the middle of nowhere, as he wanted to stop by a better lit area. Unfortunately, the state trooper became agitated as the result of a pursuit which lasted a while; when the car finally stopped, he ordered everybody out at gunpoint, including the driver’s wife, 16 year old daughter and son. Then, the idiotic state trooper had the gall to HANDCUFF everybody who was in the car! Eventually, he gave the driver a ticket, and yelled at him. Everyone in the car was traumatized. The local prosecutor refused to drop the case, or let the driver plead to a lesser charge. Finally, a deal was worked out; however, the driver and his family suffered mentally, as a result of that experience. I don’t know if he ever sued the state of Vermont, for the unprofessional treatment which he and his family were subjected to?
Her being Jewish or any other faith has nothing to do with this. The bottom line, he abused his authority, didn’t follow procedure or protocol and should be investigated and disciplined accordingly for his actions. If that means that he gets fired, so be it. Actions have consequences. The same applies to the driver. If, as per the reporting, she was driving without a license, then she will be dealt with by the NYPD.
Regarding this incident, it reminds me of what occurred in 2004, when Mike Wallace, then eighty six years old, was with his driver, when they made a brief stop at a retail business. His driver was double parked, and stayed in the car. When Mike Wallace came out of the store where he stopped at, there were two inspectors from the Taxi and Limousine Commission, who were questioning his driver. Instead of Wallace defusing the situation, he (according to the inspectors), became very aggressive and confrontational with the two of them. They did not appreciate that, and shoved Wallace against the car, twisted his arms behind his back and handcuffed him, and arrested him for disorderly conduct. He was taken to the 19th precinct. The charges were eventually dropped. My point is that this kind of aggressive enforcement in NYC, seems to be the norm.
One way to look at it: If she was indeed illegally driving without a license, perhaps she got off the hook now by this agent going meshuge …and then some. Shomer pesaim Hashem.
The antisemite is reelected!!!
That security guard looks like a douchebag.
Perhaps she gad a license, but it wasn’t on her. Therefore she said she didn’t have one
Or perhaps she has a drivers permit.
I can’t imagine anyone who reached the age in America to get a driver’s permit and doesn’t, let alone persue a license
Maybe her crime was voting for Trump
Black women – fender bender. No license. Refuses to identify herself. Refuses to leave vehicle. Uncooperative with Law Enforcement. Handcuffed, manhandled, arrested, booked, guilty 5 years maximum penetentiary. Normal.
Of course we care for our own but if you drive without a license and on top of that don’t comply with police orders, what do you expect?
She deserves it, she was driving without a license. Even we have to follow the rule of law. It’s a shame that some of us don’t know it.
she broke the law and deserves whatever she got….isn’t that the majority view here concerning overzealous law enforcement?…certainly that’s the feeling here concerning hard working law abiding immigrants whose only crime was illegal entry…or does the fact that the woman who irresponsibly drove without a license and got into an accident is orthodox change everything?…hypocrites!
The woman wasn’t kidnapped. It’s apparent this push back is due to the fact that she did something wrong and got caught. How it will impact her shidduch opportunities is left up to Hashem.