Teens Lead Police On Chase, Ram Stolen Car Into Patrol Vehicles: ICYMI

Editor's note: This article was originally published on Tuesday, April 26, 2022.

FLOWER HILL, NY — Nassau County police arrested three teenagers who they said intentionally rammed into patrol vehicles during a chase Sunday afternoon.

The teens from New Jersey — two 16-year-olds and a 17-year-old — were taken into custody after leading police on a pursuit that injured multiple officers and caused half a million dollars in damage to the vehicles, according to authorities.

It happened in the Flower Hill area around 12:15 p.m. on Sunday.

Authorities say an officer spotted a 2020 blue Mercedes Benz, which was previously reported stolen in Roslyn, and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. But the driver, aged 16, refused to comply and then rammed into a patrol vehicle to avoid arrest.

"The Mercedes-Benz received a flat tire and damage to the front," Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said at a press conference Tuesday morning. "They continued to drive on the rim of the car, going down Northern Boulevard. (The driver) then rammed into two more of my police cars."

A total of four patrol vehicles were damaged in the pursuit, according to Ryder. Two of them were totaled.

The vehicle eventually stopped on the Long Island Expressway, where the three teens were placed under arrest. A loaded 9mm pistol was found in the car, police said.

All three teens were taken to a nearby hospital for assessment and treatment.

Three officers and two detectives were also hospitalized, according to authorities. One officer suffered a concussion and pain to the left wrist, right hip, back, and neck. A second officer reported neck and left shoulder pain. A third officer injured his left wrist.

One detective suffered a concussion, while another suffered cervical pain, police said.

The teens have been charged with second-degree grand larceny, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Police say the driver has also been charged with five counts of second-degree assault and third-degree unlawful fleeing of a police officer in a motor vehicle.