Mustang Impounded As Cops Target Nanuet Racers

NANUET, NY — A man police believe to be a frequent participant in a group of car enthusiasts that meets and races illegally in the Nanuet area is under arrest, Clarkstown police reported. His car, a 2014 Mustang Shelby, has been impounded.

"We have received many reports of speed racing in that area and have taken an aggressive approach to apprehend offenders," said police Public Information Officer Peter Walker. "The department will confer with the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office to possibly seize the vehicle from the offender."

Patrolling the parking garage at the Palisades Center on July 10 at 9 p.m., an officer saw a black Mustang that matched the description of a car that had fled from an attempted police traffic stop days before.

The officer saw three men get in the car and drive off. When he followed it onto the NYS Thruway, it accelerated away at speeds believed to be in excess of 130 MPH, weaving in and out of traffic and driving on the shoulder of the road.

Due to the dangerous speeds and the extreme reckless behavior of the speeding Mustang's driver, the officer decided not to pursue the car, police said.

However, based on the vehicle and license plate information gathered by the patrol officer, the Shelby was located in a parking lot on West 239th Street in the Bronx. It was impounded and towed back to Clarkstown Police Headquarters.

The vehicle’s operator was also located and was identified as Steven Simkin, 23, of the Bronx, police said. Simkin appeared at police headquarters on July 11 and was charged with reckless endangerment 1st (felony), unlawful fleeing a police officer 3rd (misdemeanor) and nine traffic infractions.

He was arraigned in Clarkstown Justice Court. Bail was set at $5,000 and he was transported to the Rockland County Jail. Simkin will return to court later in the month, police said.