A lawn maintenance company employee was arrested on Wednesday after refusing to cooperate with Rye PD.
On Wednesday November 26th, 2025, at approximately 10:44am, a Rye PD officer was driving on Oakland Beach Avenue and observed two gas-powered leaf blowers and two additional pieces of gas-powered lawn equipment in simultaneous use. He stopped to investigate and identify the individuals operating the equipment. Upon making contact, he requested identification from all workers present. The officer asked the workers who was in charge, and was directed to an individual later identified via his NYS Driver’s License as 43 year old Alejandro Espinoza-Barajas of Port Chester, NY, an employee of FJ Barajas Lawn Maintenance.
The officer informed Alejandro Espinoza-Barajas and the workers that the use of multiple gas-powered machines simultaneously was prohibited under Rye City ordinances. Identification was requested from all the workers present to document the violation. Two workers provided their identification without issue. The third worker, Espinoza-Barajas, became upset and refused to provide his identification after multiple requests. After several attempts to obtain Espinoza-Barajas’ identification, he was informed that he was under arrest for refusing to comply.
Espinoza-Barajas was charged with obstructing governmental administration in the second degree, a class A Misdemeanor and released on his own recognizance after processing. The defendant is due back in Rye City Court on Tuesday December 16, 2025 at 9:00am.
Why is Rye PD demanding identification from lawn workers? Intimidation? Passing the info on to ICE? I am surprised and disappointed.