A New Jersey teen is accused of bypassing security to climb to the top of 1 World Trade Center in lower Manhattan to take photos, authorities said.
Justin Casquejo, 16, reportedly told police, “I was walking around the construction site and figured out how to access the Freedom Tower rooftop,” ABC News reported.
A Port Authority of New York and New Jersey spokesman said the teen was spotted coming down from the 1,176-foot building and arrested at 6 a.m. Sunday.
He was charged with misdemeanor criminal trespass, and his camera and cellphone were seized after authorities obtained a search warrant.
Law enforcement said the teen “admitted” that about 4 a.m. he took the stairs to the 20th floor, an elevator to the 99th floor and then went to the spire. He was able to get past a sleeping security guard, who has since been fired, on the 104th floor.
The security at 1 World Trade Center, which was previously believed to be impenetrable, is now under investigation, ABC News reported.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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