Police: NYC ‘Autonomous Zone’ bar owner arrested after hitting sheriff’s deputy with car

December 6, 2020 K US 0

Mac’s Public House co-owner Danny Presti is taken away in handcuffs after being arrested by New York City sheriff’s deputies, Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020, in the Staten Island borough of New York. Presti, who authorities said has been defying coronavirus restrictions, was taken into custody early Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020 after running over a deputy with a car, authorities said. Presti tried to drive away from his bar, Mac’s Public House, as deputies were arresting him for serving patrons in violation of city and state closure orders, Sheriff Joseph Fucito said. (Steve White via AP)

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UPDATED 4:25 PM PT – Sunday, December 5, 2020

The owner who refused to close his New York City bar under coronavirus restrictions was arrested for allegedly hitting a sheriff’s deputy with his car.

According to reports on Sunday, authorities tried to take 34-year-old Danny Presti into custody after seeing customers enter Mac’s Public House after midnight.

The co-owner of a Staten Island bar defying coronavirus restrictions was taken into custody after running over a deputy with a car. Danny Presti was evading arrest, got into his car, struck a deputy and kept driving for 100 yards as the deputy was left hanging onto the hood. pic.twitter.com/PRRSthBbBz

— Hoodlum 🇺🇸 (@NotHoodlum) December 6, 2020

Presti reportedly tried to flee in his car and hit the deputy. Before he was stopped, he continued to drive for several feet while the deputy held onto the hood.

New York City sheriff’s deputies stand outside Mac’s Public House after co-owner Danny Presti was arrested, Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020, in the Staten Island borough of New York. Presti, who authorities said has been defying coronavirus restrictions, was taken into custody early Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020 after running over a deputy with a car, authorities said. Presti tried to drive away from his bar, Mac’s Public House, as deputies were arresting him for serving patrons in violation of city and state closure orders, Sheriff Joseph Fucito said. (Steve White via AP)

The deputy was rushed to a local hospital with leg fractures. Authorities said they’re investigating Presti for felonious assault.