Wojciech Braszczok was 1 of at least 3 undercover police officers traveling with several dozen bikers along New York City’s West Side Highway, when the cyclists opted to show their control by slowing traffic along the busy thoroughfare. Alexian Lien, who was traveling with his wife and 2-year-old child, accidentally clipped a slow-moving biker with the SUV, prompting angry cyclists to surround the vehicle in retaliation. Fearing for his life, Lien ran over a few riders and their bikes in an attempt to flee the scene. A chase ensued and the bikers caught up with Lien in congested NYC traffic, bashing in the window of his SUV, dragging him out of the vehicle and beating him into submission.
Braszczok said he and the other undercover officers stood by and did nothing as Lien was being beaten, because they didn’t want to blow their cover. However, NYPD officials did not accept the excuse and have charged Braszczok with riot and criminal mischief.
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The attorney for Braszczok said his client only watched other bikers attack the vehicle, but NYPD investigators believe the undercover officer banged on the SUV and helped break a window during the brawl.
To date, 4 bikers have been criminally charged in the incident. Braszczok faces unidentified penalties, as the NYPD determines the identity of the other officers involved.
I'm not surprised about the cop. He needed to be arrested. But I have a feeling more will come from all this. The whole thing is out of control.