Drunken Vehicle Thief Nabbed After Crashing In Westbury: PD

A man is accused of drunkenly crashing a stolen van in Westbury on Thursday.

Police received a report of a gray Ford van stolen from an 800-block Prospect Avenue location at approximately 3:57 p.m. The van was located a short time later crashed into a pole on the 1100-block of Prospect Avenue location with 27-year-old New Cassel resident Roberto Pena sitting on the curb next to the vehicle, police say.

An investigation revealed Pena was the one to steal and crash the van, police say. Authorities say Pena also had slurred speech, was unsteady on his feet and had a strong smell of alcohol on his breath.

He was placed under arrest without incident and taken to a local hospital for evaluation.

Pena was charged with third-degree grand larceny, DWI and unlicensed operation. He will be arraigned when medically practical.

Image via NCPD