A well-known New York subway thief bragged he’d keep up his criminal ways after his release from Manhattan Criminal Court early Saturday, saying a new state law that bars cash bail for nonviolent crimes is “a great thing,” the New York Daily News reported.
Charles Barry, 56, was picked up on Thursday when cops picked him up on two warrants for missed court dates. It was Barry’s 139th arrest in New York.
“I’m famous! I take $200, $300 a day of your money, cracker! You can’t stop me!” Barry shouted late Thursday night as police led him out of a transit police station in the Columbus Circle subway station.
Barry’s famous because just hours before he appeared on the cover of the Daily News for his 138th arrest — and fifth quick release due to the bail reform law that went into effect on January 1. Now, that number is up to six.
“Bail reform, it’s lit!” Barry said Thursday. “It’s the Democrats! The Democrats know me and the Republicans fear me. You can’t touch me! I can’t be stopped!”
Barry’s been charged frequently for snatching cash from subway riders as they try to buy MetroCards.
He’s served six terms in New York state prisons, and now, thanks to the Daily News, he’s face of bail reform.
CrimeOnline’s Nancy Grace, speaking on Fox News, acknowledged that bail reform is intended “to keep your jail count low,” and that’s not a bad intention.
“But the reality is the population is growing,” she said. “There are alternatives to letting people out scot free.”
“Criminals and defense attorneys are dancing in the streets” over New York’s bail reform, she said.
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