Current:Home > ScamsNYC man accused of damaging license plates on Secret Service vehicles guarding VP’s stepdaughter -AssetScope
NYC man accused of damaging license plates on Secret Service vehicles guarding VP’s stepdaughter
View
Date:2025-04-13 16:27:25
NEW YORK (AP) — A Manhattan software developer was arrested and charged Tuesday with damaging the license plate covers on two SUVs belonging to a Secret Service detail assigned to Vice President Kamala Harris’ stepdaughter.
The man, Harry Heymann, appeared to be a supporter of a small group of citizen activists who call attention to — and sometimes personally modify — the obstructed license plates often used by motorists to evade tolls and traffic enforcement in New York.
Heymann, 45, approached the unmarked vehicles outside a Tribeca restaurant, then broke off their license plate covers on the back, according to a criminal complaint.
The vehicles belonged to Secret Service agents assigned to protect the vice president’s stepdaughter, Ella Emhoff, as she ate lunch at Bubby’s, a nearby restaurant. Video obtained by TMZ showed Emhoff being ushered into a black SUV and a man being led away in handcuffs.
“At no point was any protectee in danger as a result of this incident,” said James Byrne, a spokesperson for the Secret Service.
Heymann was charged with obstructing governmental administration and criminal mischief. He did not respond to a voicemail and his attorney declined to comment.
Drivers in New York often use illegal plate covers to avoid tolling systems and traffic cameras that rely on automated license plate readers.
In recent years, a small group of citizen activists have taken countermeasures to stop drivers from obscuring their license plates. Gersh Kuntzman, the editor of news site Streetsblog NYC, popularized the efforts in 2022 with a series of videos — and a recent Daily Show appearance — showing him personally “un-defacing” license plates.
Kuntzman and his followers have used markers to redraw plate numbers that have been scraped away, removed tape and stickers, fixed bent plates or unscrewed coverings that render plates unreadable. Their repair efforts often focus on the private vehicles of law enforcement officers and court system personnel parked near police precincts and courthouses.
An X profile associated with Heymann showed dozens of posts about obscured license plates and illegally parked police vehicles in Manhattan.
“I do feel a certain amount of responsibility here,” Kuntzman told The Associated Press Wednesday.
A spokesperson for the Secret Service didn’t respond to a question about why the two vehicles featured license plate covers.
“Like this gentleman who may or may not have broken the law, I have been outraged by the way in which public officials, including those whose job it is to enforce the law, have willfully broken the law and made our roads less safe,” Kuntzman added.
He continued: “As members of the public, we do have a responsibility to play a role in keeping the roadways safe. If that means cleaning up a piece of state property that is required by law to be readable, I’m OK with that. That said, I have never messed with the Secret Service.”
veryGood! (6927)
Related
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- Maine governor declines to remove sheriff accused of wrongdoing
- Honda recalling lawn mowers, pressure washer equipment due to injury risk when starting
- Why Fans Think Chris Pratt Shaded Ex Anna Faris in Mother’s Day Tribute
- Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
- Polish activists criticize Tusk’s government for tough border policies and migrant pushbacks
- Indiana Democratic state Rep. Rita Fleming retires after winning unopposed primary
- Cleveland Guardians latest MLB team to show off new City Connect uniforms
- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow owns a $3 million Batmobile Tumbler
- Primaries in Maryland and West Virginia will shape the battle this fall for a Senate majority
Ranking
- 'Malcolm in the Middle’ to return with new episodes featuring Frankie Muniz
- Man arrested for knocking over port-a-potty with mom, child inside at New Hampshire park
- Ippei Mizuhara, ex-interpreter for MLB star Shohei Ohtani, likely to plead not guilty as a formality
- AP Investigation: In hundreds of deadly police encounters, officers broke multiple safety guidelines
- Why members of two of EPA's influential science advisory committees were let go
- Q&A: How the Drug War and Energy Transition Are Changing Ecuadorians’ Fight For The Rights of Nature
- New Jersey lawmakers pass overhaul of state’s open records law
- Stock market today: Asian shares mixed in muted trading after Wall Street barely budges
Recommendation
Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
Addison Rae’s Mom Sheri Easterling Marries High School Coach Jess Curtis
Attorney says settlement being considered in NCAA antitrust case could withstand future challenges
Howard University cancels nurses' graduation mid-ceremony after door is smashed
Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
Families suing over 2021 jet fuel leak into Navy drinking water in Hawaii seek $225K to $1.25M
Cannes set to unfurl against backdrop of war, protests and films
Attorney says settlement being considered in NCAA antitrust case could withstand future challenges