They also seized a 2006 BMW Z4.

The police said they were able to recreate the wild ride by using surveillance video, which also ultimately allowed them to track down Mr. Tang.

Mr. Tang’s route started on the Franklin D. Roosevelt Drive at 116th Street. As he tore south on the highway, he zipped past cars and taxis and stopped only for red lights. It was night, and electronic music was playing on the car’s sound system. He whipped around the southern tip of Manhattan before heading up the West Side Highway. He skipped the northern tip of Manhattan by turning right near the George Washington Bridge and heading back to the starting point.

Soon after a video of the wild ride was posted on YouTube, the driver gave an interview to the automobile Web site Jalopnik. He claimed that he had set a new speed record for traveling the loop around Manhattan, which he already held.

“I can do it consistently under 24 minutes and most likely beat my own record again,” he said.

He dismissed concerns that the stunt was dangerous, saying his average speed was only 66 miles per hour.

However, that takes into account stopping for red lights, and on the video, he can be seen traveling at breakneck speed as he overtakes other vehicles.