Crime & Safety
Drunken Man Stole Uber Driver's Car In Suffolk: Police
The man was arrested after police say he stole the vehicle and drove while drunk. The Uber driver was picking up a food order, police say.
COMMACK, NY — A man was arrested after Suffolk police said he stole an Uber driver's vehicle in Commack while drunk on Sunday night.
An Uber driver left the motor running in his 2012 Honda Accord in the parking lot of 88 Veterans
Memorial Highway as he was picking up a food order to be delivered when Joseph Ellis, 45, who is without a known address, got into the car and drove away at 8:55 p.m., police said.
Ellis crashed the car into a curb and fire hydrant a short distance away, police said. Ellis got out and ran off into a heavily wooded area, police said. A Canine Unit officer and his dog found Ellis lying down in the woods, police said. He was arrested.
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Ellis was charged with two counts of third-degree grand larceny. Patrol Officers determined that Ellis was impaired and charged him with driving while intoxicated and nine outstanding warrants, police said.
He was held overnight and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Monday.
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