By Joanna Putman
Police1
NEW YORK — A 19-year-old street-racing influencer has been arrested after filming and posting videos of high-speed stunts and taunting police across New York City and New Jersey, the New York Post reported.
The videos, shared with over a million followers on the “Squeeze.Benz” social media accounts, have led to multiple charges against Antonio Ginestri for reckless driving and eluding police, according to the report. Ginestri was identified as the driver in the videos, which feature a masked individual performing dangerous maneuvers in luxury cars such as BMWs and Lamborghinis. These stunts included speeding up to 130 mph, performing doughnuts around police vehicles and running red lights on crowded streets.
“One of the most prolific street racers in NYC can no longer treat the Big Apple like the Indy 500,” NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry stated on social media.
“Squeeze.benz” is in custody, thanks to NY’s Finest.
— NYPD Deputy Commissioner, Operations Kaz Daughtry (@NYPDDaughtry) May 21, 2024
One of the most prolific street racers in NYC can no longer treat the Big Apple like the Indy 500.
To anyone thinking about putting themselves and others in danger, recklessly zooming through the streets of NYC, think again!… pic.twitter.com/JVYPvEVrvl
The videos often show the driver racing through Newark and New York City, sometimes with a visibly frightened passenger, according to the report. In one video, titled “Squeeze vs Newark,” taunts police officers, performs doughnuts around squad cars and evades capture by driving through red lights and onto highways.
“Newark is not a playground for daredevil drivers seeking social media likes,” Newark Police Chief Emanuel Miranda stated. “We will not tolerate senseless, reckless driving on Newark streets.”
Authorities began investigating Ginestri after an incident on April 11 where he was caught performing doughnuts around a cruiser in a black BMW without license plates. He was arrested in mid-May after an altercation where he allegedly punched a 20-year-old man. The arrest was part of a joint effort by the Newark Department of Public Safety and the NYPD Auto Crimes Manhattan Unit.
In addition to reckless driving charges, Ginestri faces charges of employing a juvenile in the commission of a crime, theft and conspiracy, according to the report.