Investigator Handcuffs Woman After Fender-Bender in Manhattan

A concerning incident was caught on video this week, showing an investigator assigned to the security detail of New York Attorney General Letitia James detaining a young woman following a minor car collision.

The footage, which has gained over 4,000 views on TikTok, depicts a bronze Toyota and an investigator’s black Ford Expedition after they made contact in Manhattan. The investigator, identified as Nelson Yu— a retired NYPD detective with over 20 years of service—appeared visibly upset as he approached the woman, who allegedly was driving without a license.

“This is my car,” Yu can be heard saying. “Get out of the car and show some ID.” When she did not comply, he repeated, “Get out of the car!” and proceeded to handcuff her, ordering her to turn around before placing her in the back of his vehicle.

Investigator Nelson Yu confronts a young woman after a minor collision — Attorney General’s Office investigator Nelson Yu confronted and handcuffed a young woman after a fender-bender in Manhattan.

The unidentified driver appeared to protest, but Yu insisted and then pointed his finger at a woman nearby who seemed to recognize the handcuffed individual. The driver’s arrest was later deemed invalid, according to sources familiar with the investigation.

Another angle of the incident — The woman’s arrest was ultimately voided, according to reports.

A spokesperson from James’ office stated, “A civilian vehicle struck a parked car belonging to the Attorney General’s security detail on Wednesday evening. The Office of the Attorney General is conducting an internal investigation and will not comment further at this time.”

The vehicle used by the security team was part of James’ escort, though she was not present at the scene and was elsewhere at the time.