Metro

Times Square pole climber

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Raymond Velasquez, an aspiring rapper from Brooklyn, halted traffic in Times Square for a period of time this morning after climbing atop a traffic pole. Video: Man Climbs Traffic Pole David McGlynn
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New York Police Department officers negotiate with Velasquez, trying to coax him down to safety. Video: Man Climbs Traffic Pole REUTERS
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Velasquez, who pulled a similar publicity stunt in February when he came dangerously close to “Today” show hosts Meredith Vieira and Al Roker, sits atop a pole after he was allegedly kicked out of MTV’s Times Square location. Video: Man Climbs Traffic Pole AP
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Hundreds of onlookers packed the streets to gawk at the man as cops tried to coax him into coming down. He eventually came down from the pole. Video: Man Climbs Traffic Pole AP
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Velasquez calmly sits atop a pole in Times Square after an Alicia Keys performance. Velasquez was reportedly kicked out of MTV’s Times Square location after claiming he wanted to meet Keys. Video: Man Climbs Traffic Pole REUTERS
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Velasquez is escorted away by police after finally coming down from his perch in Times Square. Video: Man Climbs Traffic Pole EPA
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Police detain Velasquez, who also goes by the moniker Rapper ‘C. I. Joe’, after standing on top of lampost in Times Square. Video: Man Climbs Traffic Pole David McGlynn