#Deliveryman out past curfew wasn’t working when detained, NYPD says

A delivery worker detained by cops during a post-curfew incident in Upper Manhattan wasn’t on the job at the time — despite Mayor Bill de Blasio’s outraged claim that he was, the NYPD said Friday.

The unidentified man “told police he was an essential worker” but actually “had not made any deliveries that day and was not making any delivery at the time,” an NYPD rep said.

Delivery workers are considered essential and have been allowed to continue to work under the city’s coronavirus restrictions, although when not on the job, they would still be subject to a city curfew.

Thursday night’s incident unfolded near Central Park West and 108th Street shortly after a citywide curfew went into effect at 8 p.m., the NYPD said.

De Blasio imposed the curfew following violent protests and looting sparked by the May 25 police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

NYPD officers were telling a group of people to disperse when the man rode by on a bike and yelled at them, the NYPD said. He was taken into custody when he then ignored orders to go home, the department said.

After questioning, the man was released without charges, the NYPD said.

A 19-second video clip that shows the man screaming at cops while being stripped of an insulated bag and handcuffed went viral online, with more than 1.2 million views since it was posted on Twitter on Thursday night.

De Blasio tweeted earlier Friday that he spoke with Police Commissioner Dermot Shea “after seeing the troubling video.”

“This is NOT acceptable and must stop,” Hizzoner wrote.

“Food delivery is essential work and is EXEMPTED from the curfew.”

City Hall didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on the NYPD’s later statement.