An obnoxious street-racing influencer, who had been taunting police officers with high-speed stunts in expensive cars across New York City and New Jersey, has finally been arrested, according to authorities. The influencer had been filming a series of videos showcasing his reckless behavior and openly challenging law enforcement.
Queens daredevil Antonio Ginestri, 19, was arrested last week after authorities connected him to the well-known “Squeeze.Benz” account on Instagram and Twitter. The videos he shared with his over 1 million social media followers showcased his reckless driving and attempts to evade the police. As a result, Ginestri is now facing multiple charges related to his dangerous behavior on the road.
NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry expressed that the Big Apple can no longer be treated like the Indy 500 by one of the most prolific street racers in NYC.
Ginestri, a resident of Flushing, is believed to be the individual responsible for the “Squeeze.Benz” videos. These videos showcase a driver wearing a racing helmet, pushing speeds of up to 130 mph while driving a BMW or Lamborghini. The footage displays reckless behavior, such as driving on congested public streets, performing doughnuts around police cars, and disregarding numerous red lights.
A motorist in Florida took a test drive to the extreme when they decided to evade police during a high-speed chase. The chase reached speeds of up to 90 mph as the driver made a daring move by jumping into a nearby lake. This unexpected action left the police officers stunned as they watched the car sink into the water. It was a bold and risky maneuver, showing the driver’s determination to escape the long arm of the law.
In a captivating video called “Squeeze vs Newark,” the driver can be seen passing a simulated legal waiver to an unidentified passenger before zooming through the bustling streets of New Jersey.
The driver quickly turns and starts performing several high-speed doughnuts when he notices a squad car stopped in the middle of the road. After leaving the officer in its literal dust, the driver races away.
As the stunt car races through several red lights, it leaves behind a trail of police cars struggling to keep up. Unable to match the speed and agility of the driver, the pursuing officers quickly lose sight of the car as it disappears onto the highway.
The Newark Department of Public Safety stated that they discovered several videos in which Ginestri was allegedly “trying to provoke the police” in order to increase views on his channels.
According to Newark Police Chief Emanuel Miranda, Newark is not a place for reckless drivers looking for social media attention. The city has a zero-tolerance policy towards dangerous driving on its streets.
Officials launched an investigation into Ginestri after he was caught engaging in reckless driving maneuvers around another police car on April 11, at 1:16 a.m.
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Authorities discovered the “Squeeze.Benz” account after a 19-year-old allegedly drove a black BMW with no license plates and outpaced pursuing officers.
The account showcases a collection of videos dating back over a year, each with captivating titles like “Drifting through Times Square,” “NYPD Tried It,” and “4 Minutes of Squeeze Taking Over The FDR.”
According to the NYPD, Newark Police collaborated with the NYPD Auto Crimes Manhattan Unit to solve the case. Last Thursday, Ginestri was apprehended after allegedly assaulting a 20-year-old man at the Steinway Deli in Astoria.
Ginestri is not only facing charges of reckless driving but also charges of employing a juvenile in the commission of a crime, theft, and conspiracy in Fairfield, according to the police.
According to the Queens District Attorney’s office, Ginestri had pleaded guilty to possessing a stolen motorcycle in March. As a result, he was ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution.
