Qns. Finest targeted
Rifle pointed at him by dognap suspect
An accused dognapper guarding a hefty stash of guns and drugs pointed an assault rifle at an NYPD detective watching his Queens house in a drug probe, prosecutors announced Thursday.
Surveillance video captured Julin Liriano brandishing the gun Oct. 7 in the driveway of a home on Eliot Ave. in Middle Village as the detective drove by, said a law enforcement news release.
A bulldog was by Liriano’s side as he cocked the firearm, authorities said. At the time of the incident, Liriano faced a separate charge of stealing a father and daughter’s pet bulldog in Queens.
Liriano’s firearm was “an assault weapon,” said the news release issued jointly by city Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and other agencies.
The video showed Liriano “lifting the firearm across his body as he faced the road. Just over his left shoulder the black muzzle is allegedly visible pointing at the detective’s vehicle. A flashlight attached to the weapon was also activated and pointed towards the detective’s vehicle,” the release said.
The cop got out of his car and demanded Liriano, 34, drop the firearm, but the suspect ran inside the house, according to a press release from Brennan’s office.
After his arrest, Liriano denied being armed in front of the house, and his defense lawyer accused police of fabricating the incident, said the news release.
“Unfortunately for Liriano, his own home security system recorded every dangerous action they described,” Brennan said.
The news release said Liriano maintained “an extensive home security system cameras.”
A review of security footage showed that after Liriano ran back into the house, he rushed to a parked car “carrying multiple backpacks,” which he crammed into a hidden compartment, prosecutors said.
Liriano was arrested without further incident.
A search of the home uncovered a white powdery substance around a toilet, “an extensive home security system with multiple cameras,” 3 pounds of weed, a scale and a bulletproof vest, authorities said.
A search of the car’s compartment uncovered a pistol, an EVO 9-mm. carbine assault rifle and a MAC-11 submachine gun with a suppressor, according to prosecutors. Investigators also found 85 grams of cocaine, handcuffs and ammunition.
The surveillance of Liriano’s with multiple home was part of an investigation by a task force of NYPD, DEA and state police officers.
A call to Liriano’s attorney was not returned. Liriano is being held without bail on 12 gun and drug charges.
Authorities say on Oct. 19, 2018 he brandished a pistol and threatened to shoot a man and his 5-year-old daughter. He allegedly forced the father and daughter to return to their home, where he stole their bulldog.
“A brazen threat caught on surveillance footage underscores the danger law enforcement faces while working to keep our cities safe from gun violence, crime, and drug trafficking,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan. “Over time, our investigations exemplify the inextricable link between violent crime and drug trafficking which threaten lives and public safety.”