Locked in the Laundromat?

Sunday, November 15th, 2009

An early-rising and reliable neighborhood source emails:

The skinny Chinese guy who appears to own the building and laundromat at Cortelyou and East 17th Street was hauled off in handcuffs this morning. We’d been hearing amplified music since 6:30am from a block away. When he emerged from his lair about 7:15, the music was still blasting from the top floor, he was talking to himself, dressed like the construction worker from the Village People and wearing a license plate around his neck, Flavor Flav style, that said “Bad Boy.”

Upon returning from breakfast, the corner was surrounded by police vehicles. He alledgedly locked a handful of customers in the laundromat then locked himself in his office until the police persuaded him to come out. Folks on the street told several hair-raising tales of past erratic, threatening behavior.

Our tipster’s advice: “Find another laundromat for today.”

UPDATE: Another neighbor comments with some more information, and a different tone:

His name is Jack and there’s nothing threatening about him. He is the victim of a head injury (so I’ve been told) and has occasional episodes. We’ve lived on the same block as that place for years. He’s a sweet guy and I hope he’s OK.

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