A surfer climbed to the top of the roller coaster wreckage that sits off the New Jersey shore in mute testimony to Hurricane Sandy, unfurled an American flag, and then sat there for a few hours before police arrested him.
Christopher Angelo, 38, of Lavallette, N.J., was taken into custody Tuesday morning after spending a few hours atop the ruins of the Jet Star which was swept out to sea off Seaside Heights, N.J., when Sandy struck in late October.
Wearing a wetsuit, Angelo swam out to the wreckage from the shore after calling local news channel News 12 New Jersey to reveal his plans. While on the wreckage, he took photos and sent them to the station.
Angelo said he was performing the act to commemorate the good times he had on the shore, and to remember the break of the surf.
His mother later called the station to say she was worried about him. Diane Angelo said her son lives at his grandmother’s home and described him as “a bit of a daredevil.”
As Angelo started to descend from the wreckage, an inflatable police boat approached. After a few minutes of discussion, Angelo starting climbing back up the ride. But police eventually coaxed him back down. Angelo hopped into the boat where he was promptly handcuffed. When the boat reached shore, Angelo was led to a police car and driven away.
News 12 New Jersey shot video of the arrest.
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