NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Police Department’s use of plainclothes officers and an unmarked minivan to haul away a vandalism suspect during a protest Tuesday created confusion and drew online outrage from people who compared it to tactics used by federal agents in Portland, Oregon.
Bystander video of 18-year-old Nikki Stone’s arrest spread quickly on social media, along with comments such as “nypd is out here KIDNAPPING protesters.”
The NYPD says Stone was picked up by a warrant squad for allegedly damaging several surveillance cameras.
The department said that squad typically uses unmarked vehicles to surprise wanted suspects.
