Ice cream vendor arrested in Flushing

(Queens - WABC, October 7, 2007) (WABC) -- He wasn't just selling ice cream from his Mister Softee Truck. Police say he was selling drugs -- just feet from a playground in Flushing.

Now parents in the neighborhood are sounding off.

Eyewitness News reporter Lucy Yang has more from Browne Park.

Residents describe Browne Park as a haven from big-city crime. That is why they are so shocked when they found out their local popular ice cream vendor was double dipping as a drug dealer.

The Mr. Softee Truck was noticeably absent from the playground on the beautiful Sunday because the truck was toed away Saturday night and searched for drugs.

Undercover police say the ice cream man was also dealing in cocaine and marijuana.

As you can imagine, families coming here for generations were absolutely stunned.

"It is ridiculous," said a woman. "This is a park where families come and children come."

This is the kind of park, residents say, where crime doesn't visit, where it is safe to walk, bike and play.

The truck driver, 27-year-old, may have been counting on that for cover when he parked his ice cream truck here.

Investigators claim he sold everything from the vanilla ice cream to narcotics. Undercover police report they were able to purchase cocaine and marijuana from the vendor.

Many parents are furious that someone would take an ice cream truck which is like a magnet for a little children then draw drug users at the same time.

"A lot of kids are here," said a resident. "That is really terrible."

The 27-year-old ice cream vendor was arrested Saturday night and charged with selling drugs. He has prior arrest record from August.

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