Periscope user livestreams his drunk driving antics, cops say
Ahmed A. Almalki, age 33, of Oyster Bay, was charged by New York State Police early this morning, March 6, 2016 and charged with felony DWI and other charges. He was livestreaming his drunk driving on the app "Periscope," state police said. Credit: NYSP
An Oyster Bay man drove drunk while in his Lexus, speeding and weaving in and out of lanes on Ocean Parkway while livestreaming his antics early Sunday morning, police said.
Ahmed A. Almalki, 33, was arrested and charged with felony driving while intoxicated and issued tickets for failing to use signal lamps, moving from lanes unsafely, speeding and driving across hazard markings.
State Police in Farmingdale received “multiple calls” reporting an “erratic operator” on westbound Ocean Parkway about 1 a.m. Sunday, police said.
Almalki “was reportedly utilizing the live video streaming app ‘Periscope,’ to broadcast himself,” State Police said in statement.
Police “were able to use the live video feed to determine the approximate location of the subject who was still driving on the Ocean Parkway” and eventually stopped Almalki’s vehicle on the Wantagh Parkway near Hempstead Turnpike, State Police said.
While talking to Almalki, troopers “detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage,” State Police said. Almalki then failed sobriety tests and was arrested, police said.
Almalki could not be reached for comment Sunday. It was unclear whether he had an attorney.
According to online court records, Almalki was issued a conditional release to probation. He’s due back in court March 14.
Nicole Fuller is Newsday's senior criminal justice reporter. She began working at Newsday in 2012 and previously covered local government.
