Dramatic video was released Friday of the moment New York City police stopped and arrested two suspected car thieves in the Bronx. Officers were seen on video pulling out their guns and slamming on the windows of the stolen SUV in an attempt to stop the two men.
Police said Bria Aponte, 30, and Kenneth Canty, 33, both of Burns Avenue in the Bronx, were killed at around noon near the corner of Neal Street and Larting Street in the Bronx's Indian Village neighborhood. Stolen a 2016 Ford Escape.
Police said the 25-year-old owner called police, who chased the fleeing duo west and cornered them near the Bank of America at White Plains Road and Pelham Parkway.
Several officers chased the SUV as it desperately tried to flee across lanes of traffic. A video posted on social media by NYC Scoop showed.
The car collided with five other vehicles in a chaotic scene that included wailing police sirens and officers slamming their batons against windows, breaking windows.
“Hands up! On the ground!” one officer was heard yelling after the Ford finally crawled to a stop.
When the door slammed open, another officer was seen on video grabbing the driver, Aponte, by the arm, dragging her into the grass, and pinning her down as other officers piled into the car.
On the other side of the car, a police officer yells, “Get out of the car!” Please get out of the car! ” Canty was grabbed, thrown to the ground and handcuffed as his wrecked car spewed smoke next to him, video shows.
Police charged both suspects with a series of charges, including assault on a police officer, assault, grand theft, vehicular assault and leaving the scene of an accident, authorities said.
Aponte pleaded not guilty at his arraignment the next day, according to online court records.
A judge set her bail at $300,000, and she is currently being held at the Rose M. Singer Center on Rikers Island.
She is scheduled to appear in Bronx Criminal Court on November 27.
Canty also pleaded not guilty, but was released on his own recognizance.
The next court date is January 13th.
