Impaired Driver Had 84 Bags Of Cocaine In Car: Police

WEST HEMPSTEAD, NY – A 21-year-old man faces numerous felony charges after he fled a traffic stop, leaving drugs behind in his car Friday night, police said.

According to Nassau Police, Fifth Precinct officers initiated a traffic top on a vehicle that was observed failing to maintain its lane of travel in West Hempstead around 8:24 p.m. Officers were able to stop the car on Hempstead Turnpike near the intersection of Broadway. After having the driver, Anthony Grassi exit his vehicle, Grassi began to flee from the scene on foot with officers running after him, police said.

During the foot pursuit and eventual apprehension of Grassi, both officers sustained minor injuries causing them to be treated in an area hospital, police said.

A subsequent investigation revealed that Grassi was operating the car in an impaired manner, police said. In his vehicle, officers discovered 84 small plastic bags containing cocaine, a black scale and a container of pepper spray, police said.

Grassi, of Floral Park, is charged with two counts of third degree criminal possession of controlled substance, two counts of second degree assault, driving while ability impaired and two vehicle & traffic law violations.

NCPD photo