Crime & Safety

N.J. Teen Risks Life With Crazy Rooftop Stunts (VIDEOS)

Justin Casquejo climbed the World Trade Center in 2014. He's still defying death and risking jail, according to these videos and photos.

WEEHAWKEN, NJ — Needless to say, don’t try this at home. The New Jersey teen who gained international notoriety when he crept past security and climbed One World Trade Center two years ago is apparently still hard at work at his death-defying hobby.

Weehawken resident Justin Casquejo – now 18 years old – posted a YouTube video on Nov. 25 which shows him and an accomplice climb a 50-story unnamed building in New York City, then pause on the roof to take a series of dizzying photos and videos amidst the 50-mph winds.

Watch the video below.

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Casquejo made headlines in 2014 when he evaded the security of Port Authority police, the NYPD and two private security firms and spent two hours snapping photos at the top of One World Trade Center.

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Comments on Casquejo’s latest YouTube offering were split between awe and disdain:

  • “I ran into your Instagram and I fell in love with your pictures,” one viewer wrote. “I just want to say I love your content… keep up the good work.”
  • “A 16-year-old risking his life to entertain is ‘good work?’” another viewer countered. “He needs to go to jail and then get a lobotomy.”

Casquejo also posted photos of his recent alleged stunts on his Instagram account, which has garnered almost 30,000 followers as of Monday.

A photo posted by Human (@livejn) on Nov 26, 2016 at 12:16pm PST
A photo posted by Human (@livejn) on Nov 24, 2016 at 12:16pm PST
A photo posted by Human (@livejn) on Nov 15, 2016 at 8:45am PST

According to his YouTube account, Casquejo has also filmed recent stunts “82 stories above Manhattan’s skyline,” “hanging 100 feet above Central Park,” “climbing an abandoned cathedral” and “climbing a luxury skyscraper in New York City.”

Local emergency responders have been vocal critics of Casquejo’s antics. After his recent alleged stunts, NYCFireWire posted the following message:

“FDNY firefighters have to be on their toes and ready to handle whatever is thrown their way. Aside from buildings, we also have all walks of life, including ones who feel important enough to evade security at a Central Park South High Rise being built… Unfortunately, those that must respond in the event he should become trapped or injured on one of these journeys, don’t see the thrill the way he does. This puts responders in a position they are trained for, but never wish to have to execute. Should the thrill seekers selfish acts fail, it will tie up highly trained technical rescue resources and put members at risk of their own.”

After authorities hit him with a misdemeanor charge for trespassing at the World Trade Center in 2014, Casquejo received 30 days community service, was ordered to undergo counseling and had to write a 1,200-word essay on the risks of the stunt.

Police charged the teen with defiant trespassing and resisting arrest after he allegedly climbed to the top of a historic, 175-foot brick water tower in Weehawken only two weeks later, the NY Post reported.

Photo: Live JN, YouTube

Send feedback to eric.kiefer@patch.com

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