Juan Hernandez, a 22-year-old migrant from Ecuador, has become a focal point of controversy after his repeated unauthorized attempts to access boats in New York City. Recently, after being released without bail for taking a joyride on a historic FDNY fireboat, Hernandez attempted to board another vessel, the Frying Pan—a well-known floating restaurant at Pier 66 in Manhattan.
This incident followed closely on the heels of Hernandez’s release from custody, where he had been held for commandeering the former FDNY-owned vessel, John J. Harvey, and subsequently taking a sailboat for a jaunt along the Hudson River. The circumstances of his release without bail have drawn criticism and raised questions about the effectiveness of the city’s bail reform laws, which mandate release for non-violent crimes.
According to witnesses and local business owners, shortly after his release, Hernandez was spotted trying to gain access to the Frying Pan. He was confronted by a bar worker and claimed he needed to retrieve his passport from the vessel—a claim that was quickly dismissed as the boat’s staff confirmed no such item was left aboard.
Angela Krevey, co-owner of Pier 66 Maritime, described the situation as baffling and expressed concern over Hernandez’s mental stability and the potential for future incidents. She mentioned the frustration of dealing with repeated offenses and the inability to secure a restraining order without incurring legal costs.
Eric Fischer, vice president of the Frying Pan, recognized Hernandez from media reports about his earlier maritime misadventures. He expressed disbelief at Hernandez’s release given the serious nature of his previous actions, highlighting the impact of state bail reform laws which are increasingly seen as too lenient by critics.
This series of events has spotlighted the challenges faced by local law enforcement and the judiciary in balancing reform with public safety, especially in cases involving non-violent but potentially dangerous behaviors. The community’s response reflects a growing concern about safety and security around public and private properties in waterfront areas.