Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Bronx Man Goes On Anti-Car Pickaxe Spree
By
Ben Yakas
Published Oct 23, 2010
Modified Oct 22, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Oct 23, 2010
Modified Oct 22, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
It's the end of another long work week, and people need a way to blow off steam. And sometimes shooting pool or drinking beers just doesn't cut it. No, sometimes you need to grab your trusty pickaxe and bash some cars.
Bronx police had to subdue a man yesterday morning near Erskine Pl. in Co-Op City for doing just that. The man, who the News describes as "emotionally disturbed," used his 20-pound axe to go on an eight car wave of destruction. When police arrived, they were nervous he would turn his rage toward them: "He was out there in the street, swinging this big axe. Certainly, deadly force could have been used any number of times, and it would have been justified. But these guys held their fire and were able to take him into custody," said one source. Maybe he was just suffering from a mild case of symphorophilia?
Tagged
bronx
car
co-op city
pickaxe
vandalism
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
High-ranking NYC officials to testify in ex-buildings boss Eric Ulrich's corruption trial
Manhattan prosecutors say Ulrich’s predecessor at the buildings department will testify in the trial against him.
By
David Brand
Published Oct 19, 2026 at 3:47 p.m. ET
Mamdani launches new team to help NYers keep SNAP, Medicaid benefits
Nearly 1 million in the city risk losing benefits as a result of new federal restrictions.
By
Caroline Lewis
News
Mamdani launches new team to help NYers keep SNAP, Medicaid benefits
Nearly 1 million in the city risk losing benefits as a result of new federal restrictions.
By
Caroline Lewis
Riders at 53rd St. station where man was fatally shot say they worry about gun violence
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
These are the NYC neighborhoods that will get free 2-K next fall
By
Karen Yi
Early Addition: Get to know Wanda, the donkey in the Met's 'La Bohème'
By
James Ramsay
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .