A suspect has been arrested over the now-viral video of an enraged driver stealing a tow truck hauling away his pickup, then crashing it into multiple cars — while his dad defended him Friday, saying he was convinced he was getting robbed.
Russel Laiosa, 55, was slapped with multiple charges including robbery, grand larceny auto, reckless endangerment, leaving the scene of an accident and 11 counts of property damage for the Sept. 6 mayhem in Sunset Park, cops said.
Wild video captured the moment the driver exploded as a tow truck driver was set to drive off with his black Chevy Silverado on 53rd Street between First and Second Avenues.
“Dude, put my f–king truck down now! I’m warning you,” the suspect identified as Laiosa yells at the driver.
“I’m warning you, motherf–r! Get the f–k away from my truck!” he continues before jumping into the tow-truck and barreling down the street with his truck attached.
He then slams into several parked cars before his pick-up truck tips over, tumbling onto the street, the video shows.
Police said he went on a short “joy ride” to 55th Street and Third Avenue.
But Laiosa’s father defended him Friday, saying his son thought he was a robbery victim.
“He said the tow-truck was unmarked, the guy made threatening comments to him and he thought the guy was robbing his truck,” he told The Post.
“That’s why he was adamant about the situation. I’m not saying that justifies what he did, how he responded. But the guy caught him by surprise, and the guy actually threatened him,” he claimed.
He was arrested Monday and has two prior arrests, according to cops.
Laiosa, of East Islip, pleaded not guilty to the charges at his Brooklyn Criminal Court arraignment.
Judge Jennifer Tubridy set $10,000 cash bail.
