Early on the morning of the 12th, the New York City Police intercepted a black Ford Explorer SUV with obscured license plates in the East Elmhurst area. After arresting the male suspect in the vehicle, the officers discovered a large quantity of weapons and threatening items inside, including handguns, ammunition magazines, bulletproof vests, and police uniforms. Additionally, a note with threatening content was found inside the car, with the specific details not disclosed.
This arrest holds significant importance as just last week in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens, a Venezuelan immigrant shot and injured two police officers. The authorities believe the events of the 12th warrant a thorough investigation. Police Commissioner Jeffrey Maddrey held a press conference at the 110th Precinct to provide details on the case.
Commissioner Maddrey revealed that around 1:30 a.m., four officers from the 110th Precinct stopped the black Ford Explorer with altered license plates near Ditmars Blvd and 86th Street. The officers uncovered a 9mm Glock handgun, nine loaded magazines, heavy-duty bulletproof vests, handcuffs, a police uniform, a stun gun, multiple knives, a whip, and an extendable baton from the vehicle. The driver, identified as 29-year-old Judd Sanson, claimed to reside near Hollis and Jamaica Ave in Queens. However, the police are currently verifying his actual address.
Furthermore, police found Sanson in possession of a New York City Transit Authority (NYCT) work vest, as well as an anonymous Guy Fawkes mask commonly used by anarchists, a blowtorch, and a machete.
Regarding the threatening note found in Sanson’s possession, Commissioner Maddrey explained that the text was written in a foreign language indicating intentions to commit harmful actions. However, he refrained from discussing the specific contents of the note, as it has been handed over to the Joint Terrorism Task Force and other law enforcement agencies for further investigation.
Commissioner Maddrey noted that the location of Sanson’s arrest was merely a block away from where the Venezuelan immigrant had shot the two police officers on June 3rd. The proximity of these incidents raises concerns and underscores the ongoing vigilance and investigative efforts of the authorities in ensuring public safety.