The accused Queens drag racer who smiled at the cameras after he was arrested for his role in a wild takeover of Middle Village in Queens walked out of jail a free man Friday — to the chagrin of the presiding judge, who railed against bail reform measures that made it impossible to keep the driving daredevil jailed.
“I believe the facts in front of me shows that this defendant poses a significant danger to society,” Judge Indira Khan said about Asil Assaidi as the suspect stood before her in Queens Criminal Court. “I am very appalled by the alleged nature of this case and the potential for greater harm, however my hands are tied.”
Assaidi, 22, was charged with reckless endangerment, a low-level felony. A bail reform law in 2020 does not allow judges to order bail for misdemeanors and non-violent felonies.
Khal did order Assaidi enrolled in a supervised release program before setting him free. The program will help ensure that he makes his next court date.
Queens prosecutors said Assaidi was caught on video doing donuts and burning rubber in a blue Infiniti as he and his fellow drag racers tore up the street early Saturday near Eliot Ave. and 69th St. in Middle Village.
At the time the recording was taken, Assaidi’s driver’s license had been suspended, prosecutors said. At the same time, his Infiniti, which was later seized by police, wasn’t insured.
“Just after 1:40 a.m. multiple residents are woken up to the screeching of tires, loud engines, a large group of people yelling and a fire in the streets outside of their homes,” prosecutors said during Assaidi’s brief bail hearing.
“(There were) in excess of 50 people … in the middle of the roadway…as he’s driving up and down in circles making a figure 8 pattern,” the presiding ADA said.
A few moments later, someone pours a flammable liquid on the roadway, prosecutors said, recounting the scene.
“The circle ignites in a ring of fire,” the prosecutor said. “This defendant doesn’t stop driving. This defendant decides to drive through that ring of fire and continue driving in circles around that fire.”
Two gas stations which could have easily ignited were nearby, prosecutors said.
Barry Williams/ New York Daily News
Asil Assaidi is pictured in police custody leaving the NYPD’s 104th Precinct stationhouse in Queens on Thursday. (Barry Williams/ New York Daily News)
“The defendant’s actions demonstrate a complete disregard to the safety of himself, the numerous individuals he nearly struck by his vehicle and the residents of Queens County (while) whipping his vehicle back and forth through a ring of fire at that intersection next to two gas stations,” prosecutors said.
Assaidi, wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt, swayed in front of the judge, but said nothing before he was released. Defense attorney Tracy Song Zhang of Legal Aid reminded Judge Khan that the charges weren’t bail eligible and asked that her client be released on his own recognizance.
The drag racer flashed a wide smile to his friends as cops escorted him from the 104th Precinct station house on Thursday. His racing buddies were also grinning as they gathered on the sidewalk to greet him — and record his perp walk on their phones.
“Too often there are no consequences in the criminal justice system for this type of outrageous behavior,” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said on X Thursday. “Clearly, it’s time for that to change. My hope and expectation is that Asil Assaidi will be held fully accountable for his actions.”
Assaidi lives in the Morris Park section of the Bronx, according to cops.
Councilman Phil Wong (D-Queens) hailed the arrest on Thursday, calling the street takeovers “reckless, dangerous and completely unacceptable.”
“(This arrest) is an important step toward holding those responsible accountable,” Wong said in a statement.
“(Assaidi) is not the only one who will face consequences. More arrests are coming, and they should. Anyone who participated in this chaos and endangered lives must be held accountable.”
