Paterson's teenage son taken to NYPD precinct

Gov. David A. Paterson's son, Alex, 15, was taken into police custody in Manhattan for about two hours Tuesday and then released to his parents, officials said Tuesday.

Marissa Shorenstein, Paterson's press secretary, said the governor's son had been taken into the NYPD's 20th Precinct, located on West 82nd Street, and subsequently was released to his parents. The statement did not give more details.

"The governor and the first lady ask that their privacy is respected during this personal time," Shorenstein's statement said.

Police spokesman Paul Browne said five male teenagers were spotted by 20th Precinct officers at about 12:45 p.m., involved in a game in the vicinity of Amsterdam Avenue, near Lincoln Center.

Three of the teenagers produced identification and were allowed to leave, Browne said.

Of the two others, both 15, one protested having to show identification and questions arose with the other regarding some kind of "bank card," Browne said. That card is the subject of further investigation, he said.

Neither of the two teens brought to the precinct were arrested or charged with crimes, Browne said.

Both were issued juvenile reports, copies of which are filed with the precinct and the NYPD's office of youth services, police officials said.

Assuming the youths have no further problems, those reports will be expunged when they turn 17, police said.

NYPD officials would not disclose the names of any of the teenagers.

Browne said the law generally gives juveniles confidentiality except when they are accused of serious crimes.

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