NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Thousands of people flooded Union Square late Friday afternoon after a popular Twitch streamer and YouTube creator advertised a video game giveaway at 4 p.m., prompting subway lines to skip Union Square and multiple arrests.
The streamer, Kai Cenat, had posted that he was giving away PlayStation 5 consoles. He was taken into custody, police said. It is unclear if he was arrested.
Chaos in Union Square after a social media influencer advertised a PlayStation 5 giveaway.Citizen App
Some of those who headed to Union Square were seen on camera tossing items at NYPD officers, jumping on cars and other structures and other reckless behavior, such as vandalism. Some NYPD officers were also reportedly injured.
ABC 7 reported that no consoles were actually given away, and that Cenat was present, driving through the crowd in a car that was mobbed by the crowd.
Chaos in Union Square after a social media influencer advertised a PlayStation 5 giveaway.Citizen App
"Due to police activity, avoid the area surrounding Union Square Park & use alternate routes," the NYPD tweeted. "Expect a police presence in the area and residual traffic delays."
