The online persona “Squeeze Benz” captivated and concerned audiences alike with videos showcasing high-speed driving and brazen disregard for traffic laws. Now, the individual behind this moniker, Antonio Ginestri, finds himself in legal trouble once again, this time facing serious charges unrelated to his viral driving antics. Ginestri, the 19-year-old identified as Squeeze Benz by authorities earlier this year, has been arrested in connection with thefts of ATMs and luxury handbags, escalating his legal woes significantly.
Law enforcement officials pinpointed a stolen BMW X7 as the vehicle Ginestri allegedly used during some of these recent heists. This revelation comes on the heels of months of taunting directed at police in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, where “Squeeze Benz” seemed to revel in evading capture while documenting his dangerous stunts online. In May, the NYPD and New Jersey Public Safety Commission officially linked Antonio Ginestri to the “Squeeze Benz” identity. However, this new arrest on May 16th, preceding the public identification as Squeeze Benz, stems from separate incidents involving a substantial $38,000 worth of designer handbags and ATM machine thefts.
Ginestri’s rise to notoriety was built on a foundation of reckless behavior, often punctuated by taunts directed at law enforcement. His videos frequently depicted dangerous driving scenarios, sometimes ending in crashes, from which he would reportedly flee. The initial arrest related to these driving incidents seemed to quell the flow of content from accounts associated with Squeeze Benz.
However, the current charges reveal a more serious pattern of alleged criminal activity predating his fame as “Squeeze Benz.” According to NJ.com, the May 16th arrest affidavit details accusations of Ginestri stealing $38,950 in designer handbags while driving a stolen BMW X7. Furthermore, authorities suspect his involvement in robberies dating back to January 25th and 26th, and ATM thefts on February 6th and 9th. A 16-year-old has also been arrested as an alleged accomplice in these crimes.
Now, Antonio Ginestri, the young man who allegedly treated public roads as his personal racetrack under the guise of “Squeeze Benz”, is confronting severe legal repercussions. The charges against him include employing a juvenile in the commission of a crime, theft by unlawful taking, and conspiracy – charges that carry significant consequences. Currently, bail has been revoked in his case, and a new court date remains pending. If Antonio Ginestri is indeed Squeeze Benz, as evidence strongly suggests, his days of posting provocative videos online appear to be over, replaced by a stark reality of facing the legal ramifications of his alleged actions.
