Mayhem erupts in Borough Park

(Brooklyn-WABC, April 4, 2006) (WABC) -- Police say hundreds of Hasidim mobbed the streets of Borough Park, Brooklyn and started a fire at the corner of the 66th police precinct after a member of their tight knit community was arrested.

Three people were arrested, but police say the number is expected to rise.

The large crowd gathered outside the precinct after a 75-year-old man was pulled over by police for reportedly driving while talking on a cell phone. The man was allegedly assaulted by an officer.

Police, however, said when the officers approached the vehicle, the man was reportedly uncooperative.

When the man was arrested, irate Hasidim reportedly set at least two bonfires in the middle of 16th Street.

Police in riot gear were called in after several Hasidim surrounded a police car, trapping the officer inside.

According to community activist Isaac Abrahams, the elderly man is half deaf and didn't hear the officers' request. Abrahams says the man was taken out of the vehicle and assaulted by police before being thrown into a cop car.

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