STATEN ISLAND, NY - The New York Police Department (NYPD) confirmed that a suspect is in custody following a wild police chase in the Stapleton section of Staten Island, which ended with a stolen box truck ramming into several cars.
According to FOX 5, the miles-long police pursuit began around 5:50 pm on Thursday, December 28th, on Richmond Road near the corner of Rockland Avenue. The crash left 19 civilians and seven police officers injured. NYPD Chief Joseph Gulotta said, "Numerous times we tried to hit mitigation to close, but it was obvious he was not going to stop, and he was putting the public in grave danger."
ABC7 said that prior to the police chase, the suspect, a 48-year-old male, committed "serious property crimes," including the theft of a W.B. Mason truck. NYPD officers on Staten Island were looking for the truck when they say the driver stole two other cars, but for some reason went back to the truck.
Officials said that when officers attempted to stop the driver, he put the vehicle in reverse and struck a police car, dragging it nearly 40 feet as he then attempted to drive away. The chase went for nearly five miles, spanning two police precincts. The driver rammed into at least 25 vehicles with the truck, including seven police cars.
Officers called for aviation support and started closing off streets and bridges to slow down traffic. According to police, at some point, the driver lost control and plowed into a row of parallel-parked cars on Van Duzer Street near Beach Street.
Regine Lorquet recalled her experience as she was parked at a red light just behind the final collision. She said, "Next thing I know, he hits from the back. He was going real fast, 100 miles an hour. I don't know, he was speeding." She added, "It was like you're in a movie. I wasn't even thinking about anything. I was just waiting for the light minding my business."
Restauarnt owner Shaw-nee Dixon said, "It was really loud, just a loud crashing noise and all the neighbors could hear a loud noise and screeching. All we just saw was the chaos and it was turning into a crime scene, all the cop cars in every direction."
After crashing, the driver bailed from the truck and attempted to flee on foot. However, he was caught by the police. Seven police officers suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Dixon said, "Everybody's safe. Everybody's OK. You have to look at it on the upside and at the end of the day the cops did their job. They kept everyone safe and apprehended the person who created all this mess."
Law enforcement officials believe that the suspect stole at least three cars between New Jersey and Staten Island in just one day. According to CBS News, some of the drivers were forced to go home with no access to their vehicles. Tina Caldwell, one of the victims, said, "When I came here, I just started crying. I have to get to work. I have kids."
As of Friday, December 29th, the suspect remained hospitalized for injuries suffered in the incident. He is expected to face charges once released.
According to FOX 5, the miles-long police pursuit began around 5:50 pm on Thursday, December 28th, on Richmond Road near the corner of Rockland Avenue. The crash left 19 civilians and seven police officers injured. NYPD Chief Joseph Gulotta said, "Numerous times we tried to hit mitigation to close, but it was obvious he was not going to stop, and he was putting the public in grave danger."
ABC7 said that prior to the police chase, the suspect, a 48-year-old male, committed "serious property crimes," including the theft of a W.B. Mason truck. NYPD officers on Staten Island were looking for the truck when they say the driver stole two other cars, but for some reason went back to the truck.
Officials said that when officers attempted to stop the driver, he put the vehicle in reverse and struck a police car, dragging it nearly 40 feet as he then attempted to drive away. The chase went for nearly five miles, spanning two police precincts. The driver rammed into at least 25 vehicles with the truck, including seven police cars.
Officers called for aviation support and started closing off streets and bridges to slow down traffic. According to police, at some point, the driver lost control and plowed into a row of parallel-parked cars on Van Duzer Street near Beach Street.
Regine Lorquet recalled her experience as she was parked at a red light just behind the final collision. She said, "Next thing I know, he hits from the back. He was going real fast, 100 miles an hour. I don't know, he was speeding." She added, "It was like you're in a movie. I wasn't even thinking about anything. I was just waiting for the light minding my business."
Restauarnt owner Shaw-nee Dixon said, "It was really loud, just a loud crashing noise and all the neighbors could hear a loud noise and screeching. All we just saw was the chaos and it was turning into a crime scene, all the cop cars in every direction."
After crashing, the driver bailed from the truck and attempted to flee on foot. However, he was caught by the police. Seven police officers suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Dixon said, "Everybody's safe. Everybody's OK. You have to look at it on the upside and at the end of the day the cops did their job. They kept everyone safe and apprehended the person who created all this mess."
Law enforcement officials believe that the suspect stole at least three cars between New Jersey and Staten Island in just one day. According to CBS News, some of the drivers were forced to go home with no access to their vehicles. Tina Caldwell, one of the victims, said, "When I came here, I just started crying. I have to get to work. I have kids."
As of Friday, December 29th, the suspect remained hospitalized for injuries suffered in the incident. He is expected to face charges once released.
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