[h=1]Homeless man goes on tree-chopping rampage[/h]
June 23, 2015 | 1:05am
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Surveillance video of Kester Jack scooting through the Upper West Side.
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He’s no tree hugger — he’s a tree killer.
A deranged homeless man who lives in a trouble-plagued Upper West Side SRO went on a rampage with a saw, chopping down four trees on West 94th Street while shouting “I’m king of the world” and riding a child’s scooter, neighbors said.
Jack Kester, 28, brandished the tool at onlookers and even threatened a doorman who confronted him, yelling “you’re a punk-a– bitch,” according to a criminal complaint.
Kester did massive damage to the neighborhood’s foliage last Thursday, leaving tree branches strewn on the pavement and even on parked cars, police said.
By the time he had finished, the city was forced to cut what was left of the trees Kester had attacked down to stumps.
“I was just heartbroken,” said Sheila Zane, 45. “Every day, every morning, afternoon and evening, I appreciate those trees.”
Zane, who has lived on 94th Street for 20 years, said the neighborhood changed once Rustin House, which used to be St. Louis Hall, was converted into a makeshift homeless shelter last year.
It didn’t take long for the first trouble to arise at the SRO. Modal Trigger
Jack Kester
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Only stumps remained after the rampage.Photo: David McGlynn
Last November, one man slammed the resident who lived in the room next to him in the head with a frying play and stabbed him with a nail.
The attacker was allegedly angry because he thought the man was “messing” with an orange sticker that had been placed on his door signifying he had not paid back rent.
“I haven’t felt safe since they moved in that homeless shelter,” Zane said.
She added that Kester’s violent outburst made her wonder, “If he was that aggressive with a tree, what if it was a human?”
It fueled fear for other neighborhood residents, too.
“There is a great deal of concern in the neighborhood,” said Aaron Biller, who lives nearby and is president of the advocacy group Neighborhood in the 90s.
Even other men who live in the Rustin House homeless shelter are worried about Kester.
“I’m scared,” said Antelmo Martinez, 22. “He lives in my building.”
The DA’s office estimates that new trees will cost more than $250 a piece to replace.
A parking attendant working on the corner of West 94th Street and Riverside Drive witnessed most of the carnage after he watched one of the trees land on his car.
When he got closer, Mahaman Abdourahamane watched Kester get in a scuffle with a white man up the street while screaming, “I’m king of the world.”
Kester faces multiple charges including criminal mischief, menacing and unlawful possession of marijuana.
He was released on his own recognizance last Friday and is due back in court on Sept. 22.
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June 23, 2015 | 1:05am
Modal Trigger
Surveillance video of Kester Jack scooting through the Upper West Side.
[h=3]MORE ON:[/h][h=6]Upper West Side[/h]
[h=5]Cops hunting for thieves in slaying of NYC shopkeeper[/h]
[h=5]Landlord accused of filming maid naked sued now by au pair[/h]
[h=5]Shop worker slain in suspected robbery gone wrong[/h]
[h=5]Upper West Side co-op board demands doggie DNA tests[/h]
He’s no tree hugger — he’s a tree killer.
A deranged homeless man who lives in a trouble-plagued Upper West Side SRO went on a rampage with a saw, chopping down four trees on West 94th Street while shouting “I’m king of the world” and riding a child’s scooter, neighbors said.
Jack Kester, 28, brandished the tool at onlookers and even threatened a doorman who confronted him, yelling “you’re a punk-a– bitch,” according to a criminal complaint.
Kester did massive damage to the neighborhood’s foliage last Thursday, leaving tree branches strewn on the pavement and even on parked cars, police said.
By the time he had finished, the city was forced to cut what was left of the trees Kester had attacked down to stumps.
“I was just heartbroken,” said Sheila Zane, 45. “Every day, every morning, afternoon and evening, I appreciate those trees.”
Zane, who has lived on 94th Street for 20 years, said the neighborhood changed once Rustin House, which used to be St. Louis Hall, was converted into a makeshift homeless shelter last year.
It didn’t take long for the first trouble to arise at the SRO. Modal Trigger
Modal Trigger
Last November, one man slammed the resident who lived in the room next to him in the head with a frying play and stabbed him with a nail.
The attacker was allegedly angry because he thought the man was “messing” with an orange sticker that had been placed on his door signifying he had not paid back rent.
“I haven’t felt safe since they moved in that homeless shelter,” Zane said.
She added that Kester’s violent outburst made her wonder, “If he was that aggressive with a tree, what if it was a human?”
It fueled fear for other neighborhood residents, too.
“There is a great deal of concern in the neighborhood,” said Aaron Biller, who lives nearby and is president of the advocacy group Neighborhood in the 90s.
Even other men who live in the Rustin House homeless shelter are worried about Kester.
“I’m scared,” said Antelmo Martinez, 22. “He lives in my building.”
The DA’s office estimates that new trees will cost more than $250 a piece to replace.
A parking attendant working on the corner of West 94th Street and Riverside Drive witnessed most of the carnage after he watched one of the trees land on his car.
When he got closer, Mahaman Abdourahamane watched Kester get in a scuffle with a white man up the street while screaming, “I’m king of the world.”
Kester faces multiple charges including criminal mischief, menacing and unlawful possession of marijuana.
He was released on his own recognizance last Friday and is due back in court on Sept. 22.
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