French tourist arrested for breaching security, snapping photos on Brooklyn Bridge cable

BROOKLYN (WABC) -- A French tourist is in custody after police say he scaled the Brooklyn Bridge to take photos. This is the third breach at the iconic bridge since July, and it follows a major effort by police to tighten security.

Sunday's incident happened in broad daylight, just before 12:30 in the afternoon. Police say 23-year-old Yonathan Souid began snapping photos after climbing one of the cables connected to the tower on the Manhattan side.

Souid was then taken into custody and is charged with reckless endangerment, felony and criminal trespassing. Bail was set at $15,000 bond or $7,000 cash.

Souid was ordered to surrender his passport and return to court on Dec. 9th.

"He's a tourist," defense attorney James Medows said. "He did something foolish, but he shouldn't be going to jail for a year just for being a naive tourist."

District Attorney Ken Thompson, however, took a more ominous tone.

"This defendant's foolish and unlawful conduct is a breach of security and a danger to himself and others," he said. "It will not be tolerated. This is not a game, and we will be seeking jail time."

Seven months ago, two German artists climbed up the bridge and swapped the American flags for white flags. It was an embarrassing stunt for the NYPD and Mayor Bill de Blasio, who promised tighter control.

Then, in August, a Russian tourist walked to the top of the bridge.

In late August, new protection in the form of large steel panels were put in place to keep people from making their way up the cables and onto the bridge towers. Souid did not get past the new steel plates before he was snared by police.

Thompson released a statement Sunday night, saying, "The Brooklyn Bridge must not to be trespassed upon, no matter who does it or for any reason. It's important that we protect the security of the bridge at all times and under all circumstances."