Queens Man Charged After Allegedly Stealing Car With Blind Elderly Passenger is Let Out

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HE’S OUT - CARJACKER WHO STOLE AUTO AND GRANDPA LET OUT 


By Dan Gesslein 

Queens Voice 

February 3, 2026


QUEENS, NY - From the “Your Gotta’ be F——— Kidding Me” file of NY justice: an alleged carjacker who stole the auto with an elderly man blind man inside the car (essentially kidnapping) was let out on supervised release. The defendant told the NY Post that he has a “condition.”


A Queens man accused of stealing a car with an elderly blind passenger still inside insists he’s been misunderstood — even as prosecutors describe the case as a shocking example of a brazen New York City carjacking.



Dominic Kanin, 30, was arrested more than two weeks after police say he hopped into a running Subaru outside a Target store in Long Island City and drove off — unaware or unconcerned that a 72-year-old blind man with dementia was sitting in the backseat.


The alleged incident happened on January 17 near the intersection of 44 Drive and 23 Street, according to the NYPD.



Authorities say the Subaru had been left idling while the car’s owner briefly went inside the Target. His father, who is blind and suffers from dementia, remained in the backseat, waiting.


That’s when prosecutors allege Kanin entered the driver’s seat and took off.



“The defendant is alleged to have entered a running vehicle after the driver had left the vehicle to enter a Target,” Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Brewer told the court during Kanin’s arraignment at Queens Criminal Court.


Brewer added that Kanin drove away “effectively stealing the car with a passenger inside,” a key detail that elevated the case to include kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment charges.





Police say the elderly man was later found unharmed after Kanin allegedly abandoned the car roughly three miles away in Maspeth. The victim was reunited with his family, but the incident left many shaken — especially given the vulnerability of the passenger.


The case has since drawn attention due to the disturbing circumstances and the suspect’s own comments after his arrest.


Suspect Faces Multiple Felony Charges


Kanin was charged with:



  • Kidnapping


  • Unauthorized use of a vehicle


  • Unlawful imprisonment


Despite the seriousness of the accusations, the charges are not bail eligible under New York law. Judge Srividya Pappachan ordered Kanin released on supervised release.


An order of protection was also issued for both the vehicle’s owner and his elderly father.


“I’m Actually a Good Person,” Kanin Says


As he exited the courtroom, Kanin pushed back against the portrayal of him as a criminal.


“It’s not what it looks like, to be honest. I’m actually a good person,” Kanin told the NY Post, adding that he has a “condition” — though he declined to explain what that condition is.


“It’s not like I’m a thug or what. It’s not that at all,” he said, acknowledging the case has drawn media attention.


Kanin is scheduled to return to court on March 30. The investigation remains ongoing, and prosecutors have not indicated whether additional charges could be filed.


Meanwhile, the case has renewed concerns about car thefts in New York City, particularly incidents involving unattended vehicles and vulnerable passengers — a reminder from police to never leave a car running, even for a quick errand.

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