Staten Island bar co-owner who defied lockdown order allegedly hits sheriff's deputy with car, gets arrested again



The co-owner of Mac's Public House — the Staten Island bar that has gained national attention for defying COVID-19 lockdown orders — was arrested over the weekend for allegedly hitting a New York City sheriff's deputy with his car, KABC-TV reported.

What are the details?

Two deputies followed Danny Presti to his vehicle after he left the bar — which had welcomed customers once again — shortly after midnight Sunday, officials told the station.

Image source: WABC-TV video screenshot

The deputies identified themselves, approached Presti, and tried to arrest him for multiple offenses, KABC said, adding that Presti began to flee on foot toward his vehicle. The pursuing officers ordered him to stop, the station said, but Presti entered his car.

Officials said Presti allegedly drove into one of the deputies, who was thrown upon the hood of the vehicle, KABC said, adding that Presti drove about 100 yards with the injured officer clinging to the hood until deputies eventually brought the vehicle to a stop.

KABC said the incident was caught on surveillance video.

What happened to Presti?

Presti was arraigned Sunday on multiple charges — including felony assault — and was released from police custody, the station said. Presti's attorney Lou Gelormino told WABC his client spent the night in jail.

It was the second time Presti was arrested in less than a week, as sheriff's deputies raided Mac's Public House last Tuesday night and led Presti away in handcuffs for defying COVID-19 lockdown orders.

Presti on Monday said he's stepping back for a couple of days out of respect for law and order, the station said — but he and Gelormino maintained his innocence.

"Two big, burly officers came out from in between a parked car, behind him, and yelled, 'Presti! Hey, Presti!' and started running at him," Gelormino said Monday, according to WABC. "That's what started the whole turn of events. It wasn't two officers in uniform, waving badges, saying, 'Hey, can we talk to you?' That's what started the whole event."

Presti also made a statement Monday, the station said: "I have nothing but respect for the NYPD and other law enforcement. I think when you find at the end of the investigation, you will find that I did nothing wrong."

Image source: WABC-TV video screenshot

What happened to the sheriff's deputy?

The injured deputy was taken to a hospital, where he was treated and released, WABC said. A station reporter said during the broadcast that the deputy broke bones in his leg as a result of the incident — but that Presti denies that and insists the deputy only twisted his ankle — and that there's video to prove it.

More from WABC:

Officers made the arrest after conducting surveillance on the bar, which had violated COVID restrictions multiple times.

Officials say officers saw a woman standing in front of the pub who would guide people into the neighboring commercial space.

They were able to observe people enter the space and then disappear into a back room.

Those who were visible through the windows appeared to be drinking alcoholic beverages.

Around 10 p.m., officers saw about 20 people exit the neighboring space, followed by another 10 people.

Gelormino told the station the bar's tables were six feet apart Saturday night, including on the patio in the back, and that all social distancing rules were being followed.

Presti prior to his arrest told KABC that "we're struggling, and a lot of people in these businesses have lost a lot, and in the beginning, we were OK to sacrifice, and we've sacrificed everything at this point. You have to take care of us, the government is supposed to be there to protect you, and that's the opposite of what's happening here."

What did NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio have to say?

"I think his actions are extraordinarily disturbing, I think they are disgusting, I think there's no excuse for someone doing something that might threaten a law enforcement officer, that's what he did," New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said about the incident, the station reported. "Our sheriff's deputy, his life was in danger because of what this guy did. It's absolutely unacceptable, he should pay very very serious consequences for what he did. I am always concerned we have to make sure consequences are clear. So I respect that the law enforcement system has a way of determining who can get released and who doesn't. But what I care about the most here, is that it be very clear, there are serious serious charges, and this guy did something extremely dangerous, and he needs to suffer the appropriate consequences for what he did."

What did New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo have to say?

"A couple of primary New York values: One of them was, you don't assault a police officer. They are defending a person who drove his car into a law enforcement officer, drove 100 yards with a law enforcement officer clinging to the hood for his life, and that's who they are championing ... Someone who attacked a law enforcement officer," New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said, according to WABC. "You don't attack the NYPD. You don't do it. They put their life on the line. You don't attack a law enforcement officer who is doing his or her job. And when you have someone who drives their car into someone, could have killed him, hospitalizes him — how dare you? What signal are you sending when you glamorize that type of behavior? ... It's repugnant to the values of any real New Yorker. You never assault a police officer."

Anything else?

After Presti's first arrest Tuesday a large group of protesters hit the street in front of Mac's Public House Wednesday night to show their support for the bar.

And WABC reported that yet another protest is planned for Monday.

CBS News said Staten Island is home to many police officers and firefighters and is usually seen as supportive of law enforcement. The network added that the New York City borough is much more conservative than the rest of the city and is the only one of the Big Apple's five boroughs that voted for President Donald Trump in November.

Large protest breaks out at Staten Island bar forced to shutter for lockdown: 'People are fed up!'



Protesters endured the near-freezing weather on Wednesday night to show their support of a defiant New York City bar that was shuttered by lockdown orders that banned indoor dining at bars and restaurants.

The owners of Mac's Public House in Staten Island decided two weeks ago that their establishment would become an "autonomous zone," in an attempt to skirt the coronavirus lockdown orders enacted by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D).

The bar is located inside an "orange zone," which stipulates: "Restaurants, bars, cafes and other food service establishments can provide outdoor dining and takeout and delivery service only. There is a four-person maximum per table. No indoor dining is allowed."

The bar attempted to circumvent the coronavirus restrictions by offering free drinks, while asking for "donations."

Deputy sheriffs entered the bar undercover and noted that they observed 14 people drinking and eating at around 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

On Tuesday night, the New York City Sheriff's Department raided Mac's Public House for defying the COVID-19 lockdown orders. Law enforcement shut down the business and arrested Danny Presti, who is the bar's co-owner along with Keith McAlarney.

Presti was charged with obstructing governmental administration, according to NYC Sheriff Joseph Fucito. Presti was issued a desk appearance ticket and set free later that evening.

Lou Gelormino, an attorney who represents Mac's Public House, told the Staten Island Advance that Presti was arrested because he refused to vacate his business "and at that point ... they considered it trespassing."

"I can assure everybody there wasn't a person in the place that was disorderly, disrespectful, or not courteous," Gelormino informed WABC-TV. "Executive orders are emergency powers that are supposed to be short lived and narrowly tailored."

Attorney Mark Fonte, who also represents the tavern, said, "We urge our friends in the restaurant industry to be as resilient as possible while we appeal this decision."

"These sheriff's officers are 'wannabe' cops," Fonte proclaimed. "This is what happens when little people get a little power. Each one of them will have to answer to a federal judge. The issuing of summonses to an attorney for representing his client will not be dealt with lightly. I would advise the issuing sheriff to lawyer up immediately."

On Wednesday, state Sen. Andrew Lanza was restrained outside Mac's Public House. Police stopped him from entering the restaurant and said only legal counsel could enter. Lanza declared that he is a "free-of-charge attorney," and police asked for a retainer.

"I got a piece of cardboard and I drew up a retainer," Lanza told the Staten Island Advance. "I signed it. The owner came out and signed it, which is legally binding."

Authorities said his retainer was not valid, and he was prohibited from entering the building.

"I took a step toward the door so they started to grab me and I said 'OK, I won't go in,'" Lanza said. Police officers restrained Lanza and then released him.

The Sheriffs Department attempted to detain State Senator Andrew Lanza for providing legal council to the owners of… https://t.co/GQjK8kuUDu
— LiquidLunchTV (@LiquidLunchTV)1606938648.0

"Somebody's got to stand up for the little guy and that's what I am trying to do here," the Republican from Staten Island explained. "People are frustrated, they are angry and they are a little defiant. And it's understandable."

"We respect law enforcement on Staten Island like no other place," Lanza told the sheriffs. "We also have questions as American citizens. You just took out one of our constituents, one of our neighbors, a business owner, in handcuffs. I asked why."

By Wednesday night, approximately 2,000 supporters of Mac's Public House showed up for a rally outside the bar that was shut down. Police guarded the pub and prevented anyone from entering.

A huge group of people gathered outside the Staten Island bar – in the middle of a COVID hot zone – that was shut d… https://t.co/7RJ99y6TAP
— Eyewitness News (@Eyewitness News)1606962648.0

Meanwhile, the frustrated yet spirited protesters waved American flags while chanting: "U-S-A! U-S-A!" and "TRAITOR!" The protesters were energized and sang Twisted Sister's "We're Not Gonna Take It" in unison.

At times, the protest turned into a rally for President Donald Trump, complete with people singing the Village People's 1978 hit "YMCA," which POTUS danced to at rallies in October.

Sheriffs temporarily moved onto the protesters who appeared to be dancing on Sheriff’s car ram rack, they soon afte… https://t.co/NrV6irCc7e
— @SCOOTERCASTER (FNTV) (@@SCOOTERCASTER (FNTV))1606962121.0

Artist Scott LoBaido delivered an impassioned rant: "Patriotism is not just hanging your flags out on the Fourth of July. You know what's patriotism? This is f***ing patriotism."

Joe Caldarera, an attorney, was at the event and said, "People are fed up! Loved the energy tonight at the Mac's Public House Rally." He shared video of the crowd chanting: "Open up!"

People are fed up! Loved the energy tonight at the Mac’s Public House Rally https://t.co/QIdjSgctNs
— Joe Caldarera (@Joe Caldarera)1606960026.0

Nicole Malliotakis was named the winner of New York's 11th Congressional District election by the Associated Press on Monday, which includes all of Staten Island and some of Brooklyn. Malliotakis, a Republican, endorsed the protest on Wednesday night.

"Hundreds of Staten Islanders turned out tonight in support of Mac's Public House and by doing so sent a loud and clear message to @NYCMayor & @NYGovCuomo; New Yorkers are sick & tired of their double standards, arbitrary restrictions, heavy-handed attacks on businesses and restraints they've placed on the freedom of individuals," Malliotakis wrote on Twitter.

"It's outrageous that @senatorlanza was almost arrested for attempting to enter Mac's to consult with it owners," she continued. "Gov & Mayor are killing small businesses, destroying dreams & unfairly punishing constituents for simply trying to lead a normal life."