MIDTOWN — An unlicensed street vendor cursed at a police officer and refused to hand over his ID after the officer tried to arrest him for renting bicycles without the proper permit, the NYPD said.
Balde Abdoulaye, 42, was renting out bikes at the northwest corner of East 58th Street and Fifth Avenue at 10:47 a.m. on March 30 when two NYPD officers saw him asking about three passersby if they wanted to rent bikes, a complaint filed with the Manhattan District Attorney’s office said.
After one officer saw Abdoulaye wasn’t displaying a Department of Consumer Affairs-issued license, the second officer asked him to produce one, which he couldn’t, the DA’s office said.
When the second officer tried to arrest Abdoulaye, he said, “F--- you. I don’t need to give you ID,” the complaint said.
Abdoulaye flailed his arms, twisted away from the first officer and refused to put his hands behind his back, the DA’s office said.
After he was arrested, Abdoulaye said he felt pain in his right ankle and was taken to a hospital for evaluation, police said.
The bike vendor was charged with obstructing governmental administration, resisting arrest, criminal solicitation and harassment, the DA’s office said.
He was released without bail the next day and is expected to appear in court on May 18.
An attorney for Abdoulaye did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.
