Cops: Man's Party Van Simply Too Righteous

There's a line where a dope sound system crosses over into the realm of illegality, and it's probably somewhere around speaker number 40. NBC New York reports police received multiple calls complaining about "exorbitantly loud" music coming from a white van a little before 11pm Saturday in Queens. The music was so loud, in fact, that one of those calls came from the bullpen at nearby Citi Field, where the Mets were taking on the Braves, according to AM New York. QNS reports the van has been an "ongoing issue" in the neighborhood, hosting "impromptu parties" with its incredibly loud music.

When police arrived Saturday, they found about 40 people gathered outside the van, which had its doors open revealing more than 50 speakers (AM New York puts the number at 80) installed inside. The music was vibrating police cruisers and making officers' ears ring. The van's owner, 47-year-old Nelson Hidalgo, was allegedly sitting in the passenger seat with a Coors Light, adjusting the sound. He was arrested on suspicion of criminal nuisance, unreasonable noise, unlawful assembly, and more. Hidalgo, who has no prior arrests, wanted to know why he wasn't just being issued a ticket as usual. "I spent over $20,000 on this equipment,” Hidalgo allegedly told police. “I know it’s illegal, but it’s the weekend." (More weird crimes stories.)