Two CNN journalists who attempted to sneak past security at NYC’s World Trade Center for a riveting story on the lack of security on the grounds were caught red-handed.
Enter ironic comment here.
The journalists were arrested on Tuesday after the attempt and charged with criminal trespass, obstruction of governmental administration and disorderly conduct, police said.
Yon Pomrenze, 35, and Connor Fieldman Boals, 26, first tried to talk their way in through the main gate to the center in lower Manhattan, much of which is still a construction site, according to the police account. One was holding a video camera, the other had a video camera strapped to his head.
Foiled, Boals then twice tried to climb over the perimeter fence. That did not work either.
A few minutes later, the men were attempting to force their way through an electronic gate about a block away when police arrested them.
On Monday, four men were arrested for parachuting from the top of One World Trade in September. And a week ago, a 16-year-boy with a camera was arrested after evading capture by security staff at night and getting to the skyscraper’s 104th floor.
But the Port Authority, who have spent millions of dollars on security measures for the World Trade Center (which is due to open later this year on the site of the Twin Towers that were destroyed by al-Qaeda hijackers on Sept. 11, 2001), aren’t impressed or amused.
“This is very wasteful of valuable law-enforcement time and energy,” Joseph Pentangelo, a spokesman for the Port Authority Police Department said.
And we’re guessing both Pomrenze and Boals aren’t amused with jail either. At least it makes for a good news segment.
SOURCE: Reuters | PHOTO CREDIT: Police Department
