The owner of a bar in New York City that has refused to close down despite a state mandate banning indoor dining was arrested after allegedly striking a New York Sheriff's Deputy with his car.
Danny Presti, 34, has repeatedly defied the order, declaring his bar, Mac's Public House, and "autonomous zone." State officials pulled his liquor license and took him into custody last week for continuing to operate. After he was arrested last Tuesday (December 1), a large group of protesters gathered outside of the bar in support of Presti.
He was released from jail and again defied the orders. Over the weekend, authorities learned that patrons were entering the bar from an empty building next door.
When deputies arrived to shut down the bar and take Presti into custody, he fled in his vehicle. As he was trying to leave, he allegedly struck one of the deputies and continued to drive as the officer clung to the hood of his car.
According to the Staten Island Advance, the officer suffered two broken legs and was taken to the hospital.
Presti was eventually taken into custody and is facing ten charges, including third-degree assault, reckless driving, menacing and resisting arrest.
Presti's lawyer, Mark Fonte, questioned the narrative being told by the police and said he is gathering evidence about what happened.
"I'm not saying it did not happen, but I don't see any evidence of it so far," Fonte said. "I'm also putting the pieces together."
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