Sayed Khaled Elsayed Abdelmohsen has been identified as the driver of the van packed with propane tanks and gas cans in New York City
The 31-Year-Old is being charged with felony reckless endangerment, multiple violations of local fire codes, and driving without a license – after police found 76 propane tanks, 15 fuel containers, and 10 gallons of diesel in his van.
Officials were originally called out to a minor vehicle collision involving his white minivan.
-When police confronted Abdelmohsen he tried to toss his keys and claimed he couldn’t unlock the van – but when officers smelled a strong odor of gas, they called the FDNY.
Firefighters – who were wearing Hazmat suits – broke into the van and found the propane and gas – which they removed and stacked on the sidewalk.
When the discovery was made Abdelmohsen took off on foot to try to avoid getting arrested but he was quickly caught by the NYPD and detained.
The case has been handed over to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
Officials say the large number of tanks raises concerns about potential attacks in densely populated areas like Times Square.
