Antonio Ginestri, widely recognized online as “Squeeze.benz,” a social media personality known for his high-speed car stunts, is currently facing serious legal repercussions following his arrest in connection to a series of burglaries across North New Jersey. This article delves into the charges against Ginestri, the potential jail time he could face, and the details surrounding his arrest and alleged crimes.
Ginestri, 19, whose online persona “Squeeze.benz” boasts a massive following of over a million across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, cultivated a brand around reckless driving and evading police attention. His content, often featuring luxury cars and high-speed chases while concealing his identity with helmets and voice modification, was designed to provoke law enforcement responses. However, his activities have now extended beyond traffic violations into more serious criminal territory.
The charges stem from incidents dating back to early February when Fairfield police responded to a burglary at a Speedway Gas Station. Reports from the alarm monitoring station described a gray SUV, later identified as a stolen-plated gray BMW X7, fleeing the scene with three occupants. This same vehicle and its occupants are suspected of involvement in multiple burglaries that morning in Roseland, Secaucus, and Hasbrouck Heights. Investigations also linked them to crimes in other New Jersey localities, as well as in New York and Connecticut.
While one suspect was identified as a 16-year-old juvenile, the other was identified as Ginestri. He was apprehended on May 16th by the NYPD after an unrelated incident in Astoria, Queens, where he allegedly punched a man in a deli. Currently held at the Bergen County Jail, Ginestri is facing a range of charges including burglary, employing a juvenile in a crime, theft, and two counts of conspiracy. These charges alone carry significant penalties, and the question of “How Long Will Squeeze Benz Be In Jail” is becoming increasingly relevant.
Fairfield Police Department’s Public Information Officer Stacy Chiarolanza highlighted Ginestri’s social media notoriety, stating, “Ginestri is a well-known social media influencer who goes by the handle ‘Squeeze.Benz’… We thank all of the agencies who assisted in putting this case together in order to make an arrest.” This collaborative effort across multiple jurisdictions underscores the seriousness with which law enforcement is treating these crimes.
Adding to his legal woes, Ginestri is also facing an eluding charge in Newark from an April 11th incident. Newark police observed a black BMW with no license plates speeding and making illegal turns. Despite attempts to stop him, the driver, later identified as Ginestri, sped away. Further investigation revealed videos of Ginestri engaging in numerous traffic violations and taunting police across the tri-state area, including footage of the April 11th eluding incident.
Newark Chief of Police Emanuel Miranda issued a stern warning, stating, “We trust that this arrest sends a strong message that Newark is not a playground for daredevil drivers seeking social media likes. We will not tolerate senseless, reckless driving on Newark Streets.” NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry echoed this sentiment, labeling Ginestri “one of the most prolific street racers in NYC” and emphasizing that “You will be arrested and your car will be seized. You will face justice.”
Furthermore, adding to the mounting legal pressure, Ginestri had previously pleaded guilty in March to possession of a stolen motorcycle and was ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution. This prior offense, combined with the current burglary and eluding charges, paints a picture of escalating criminal behavior.
While it’s impossible to definitively state “how long Squeeze Benz will be in jail” at this stage, the accumulation of burglary charges, conspiracy, employing a juvenile in a crime, theft, eluding police, and the prior stolen motorcycle offense suggests that Antonio Ginestri, aka “Squeeze.benz,” is facing a considerable amount of potential jail time. The exact sentence will depend on various factors including the severity of the burglaries, the judge’s discretion, and any plea bargains that may be negotiated. However, it is clear that the era of “Squeeze.benz” as a carefree social media daredevil is over, replaced by the serious reality of the legal consequences for his alleged actions.
