David Comstock, known as 'Daddy Dave' on the Discovery show Street Outlaws, was arrested in Bath, New York, on charges of fourth-degree stalking and third-degree criminal tampering. Police allege Comstock was caught on a Ring camera placing a GPS tracking device on a victim's vehicle. The 53-year-old reality star, who has been a staple of the Oklahoma City street racing scene for over a decade, was taken into custody in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
The news has sent shockwaves through the Street Outlaws community, especially as Comstock is widely considered one of the most consistent and professional drivers on the circuit. While the "outlaw" brand is built on skirting the law on the asphalt, these off-track allegations are a different beast entirely. Here is everything you need to know about the Street Outlaws Daddy Dave arrested reports, the evidence involved, and what this means for his racing future.
The Arrest of David 'Daddy Dave' Comstock in Bath, NY
The timeline of the Daddy Dave New York arrest began late Tuesday night when a resident on Buell Street in the Village of Bath contacted the local authorities. According to Chief Donald Lewis of the Bath Police Department, the victim reported that someone had tampered with their vehicle. By 3:52 a.m. on Wednesday, Comstock was officially booked into the Steuben County Jail.
The wild part? Comstock didn't exactly hide. While the victim was calling the police, Comstock reportedly reached out to the department himself. Investigators say he "fully cooperated" and met with them to discuss the incident. However, that cooperation didn't stop the handcuffs from coming out. After an initial investigation, detectives located a GPS tracking device attached to the vehicle in question, leading to Comstock's immediate arrest.
Comstock, who hails from Mustang, Oklahoma, was held at the facility before being brought before a judge for his arraignment. While he was eventually released, he didn't walk away completely free; the court issued a formal order of protection, requiring him to stay away from the alleged victim at all times.
The Allegations: GPS Tracking and Ring Camera Footage
In the age of the smart home, it’s getting harder to do anything in secret, and this case is a prime example. The Street Outlaws star GPS tracker allegations are reportedly backed by high-definition Ring security camera footage. The victim told police they recognized Comstock on their camera feed, allegedly showing him in the act of meddling with the car.
While the motive remains a mystery—Chief Lewis has declined to comment on why Comstock was allegedly tracking this individual—the presence of a GPS device is the smoking gun in the eyes of the law. In New York, attaching a tracking device to someone’s property without their consent is a direct path to a criminal tampering charge.
The victim's identity has been withheld, and it remains unclear what the specific relationship was between Comstock and the individual on Buell Street. However, the immediate issuance of a restraining order suggests that the court views the situation as a serious personal conflict rather than a random prank or a racing-related stunt.
Legal Breakdown: David Comstock Stalking Charge Explained
To understand the severity of the situation, we have to look at the specific New York State Penal Law codes Comstock is accused of violating. He is currently facing two Class B misdemeanors:
- New York Penal Law 120.45 (Stalking in the Fourth Degree): This occurs when someone intentionally engages in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that is likely to cause reasonable fear of material harm to the health, safety, or property of such person.
- New York Penal Law 145.14 (Criminal Tampering in the Third Degree): This charge is triggered when a person, having no right to do so nor any reasonable ground to believe that they have such right, tampers with property of another person with intent to cause substantial inconvenience.
Real talk: while these are misdemeanors and not felonies, they still carry weight. In New York, a Class B misdemeanor can lead to up to 90 days in jail and significant fines. For a high-profile figure like Comstock, the legal fees and the damage to his reputation could be far more costly than the actual sentence. As of now, David Comstock criminal tampering and stalking charges are pending his next court appearance, where his legal representation will likely argue that his cooperation with police should factor into a potential plea deal.
Impact on 'Street Outlaws' and Discovery Channel Future
The big question for fans is: what happens to the show? Comstock has been a cornerstone of the street racing reality show since its inception in 2013. He has successfully transitioned from the original series to various spin-offs, maintaining a top-tier standing in the Street Outlaws: No Prep Kings future standings.
The Discovery Channel and Pilgrim Media Group have a history of dealing with cast legal drama. In the past, the network has taken a "wait and see" approach with some stars, while others have been edited out or sidelined following serious allegations. Because these are misdemeanors and Comstock was "fully cooperative," there is a chance he remains on the roster, but a misdemeanor stalking charge is a PR nightmare for a family-rated network.
Currently, there is no official word on whether this arrest will affect the airing of upcoming episodes or Comstock’s participation in future filming. However, the racing world moves fast, and with a restraining order now in place, Comstock’s ability to travel and film in certain locations could be complicated by his legal requirements in New York.
Key Takeaways
- The Charges: David Comstock faces 4th-degree stalking and 3rd-degree criminal tampering.
- The Evidence: A Ring security camera allegedly caught Comstock placing a GPS tracking device on a vehicle in Bath, NY.
- The Timeline: Arrested at 3:52 a.m. Wednesday; released after arraignment with an order of protection.
- The Location: The incident occurred on Buell Street in Steuben County, far from his home in Mustang, Oklahoma.
- The Fallout: Discovery Channel has not yet released a statement regarding his future on Street Outlaws.
What's Next for Daddy Dave?
As we wait for the next court date, the racing community is divided. Some fans are standing by the driver, citing his cooperation with the Bath Police Department as a sign that there might be more to the story. Others are concerned that this is a pattern of behavior that the show can no longer ignore. Regardless of the motive, Comstock is now navigating a track much more dangerous than any backroad in Oklahoma City: the New York judicial system. We will continue to update this story as more details on his legal representation and court proceedings emerge.