Mob-slay susp aimed to ‘arrest’ Blaz, pols
Tied to wacky ‘steal the elex’ conspiracy
The man accused of killing Staten Island mob boss Franky Cali had previously caught cops’ attention for trying to make a citizens’s arrest of Democratic politicians — including Mayor de Blasio — for “stealing the election,” police said Tuesday.
Before he allegedly shot the Gambino crime boss, Anthony Comello was on the NYPD radar following a February incident at the federal courthouse in Manhattan, and another the next day at Gracie Mansion.
“He showed up asking to make a citizen’s arrest of a number of elected officials, and based on that incident — and the language used there, his description and image, police officers who were assigned to Gracie Mansion recognized him as an individual that they encountered the following day, Feb. 22, as somebody who showed up asking to make a citizen’s arrest of the mayor,” Deputy Commissioner John Miller said.
Cops talked with Comello, but he took off before a squad car could arrive, Miller said.
“These were rambling statements, but it involved that he blamed, he wanted to make citizen’s arrests of Maxine Waters, of Congressman (Adam) Schiff, he bla med Nancy Pelosi and all kind of other people for stealing the election,” Miller said.
Comello, 24, appeared in court Monday in New Jersey and waved at reporters to show off political slogans scrawled on his hands — including “United We Stand” and “MAGA Forever.”
He also sported a big, blue “Q” on his hand — the symbol of the far-right conspiracy theory movement known as QAnon, which followers believe points to a “deep-state” plot against President Trump.
Comello may not arrive back in New York until next week, Chief of Department Dermot Shea said.
“That’s just coordination with multiple agencies, I wouldn’t categorize it as a delay,” Shea said. “We’re as anxious as anyone to get back here and start the process for the trial.”
Comello has been charged with gunning down Cali in his own driveway, while his family was inside. Sources have said the possible motive may have been anger over Cali’s niece, who Comello, a construction worker, allegedly wanted to date against Cali’s wishes.
But Shea would not comment on a motive Tuesday.
“Our detectives are interviewing people literally minute by minute, and what I said remains true to this point in time — our priority is to make sure that anyone involved in this incident is brought to justice,” Shea said.