NYS Police Arrest 2 Who Fled LI Crash Scenes: 'We Will Find You'

LONG ISLAND, NY — Two drivers accused of fleeing traffic stops stemming from two separate crashes were arrested, the New York State Police Department announced Wednesday.

The unrelated cases occurred on Sept. 1, 2024, and April 18, the department said.

"Both have one common theme: Fleeing from New York State Troopers does not work and will not work, you will get caught," the department stated.

Around 10:20 p.m. Sept. 1, 2024, troopers tried to stop a black BMW traveling at a high speed on the Southern State Parkway near Exit 22 in the North Merrick area, police said. The driver, Oumar
Janneh, 21, refused to stop, initiating a short pursuit that ended when traffic brought Janneh's BMW to a halt, police said.

As the trooper began to exit their marked patrol vehicle, Janneh accelerated, striking the driver’s side door of the troop car, police said. The trooper suffered minor injuries and was able to return to duty, police said.

The New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation adopted the case and investigated, authorities said. After "eight months of diligent work," investigators said they identified and arrested Janneh on May 17, police said.

Janneh was charged with second-degree assault, unlawful fleeing, and reckless endangerment, police said.

In a separate incident, around 1:15 a.m. April 18, New York State troopers attempted to stop a grey Nissan traveling eastbound near exit 20N in the Town of Hempstead, police said. The traffic stop was originally for the vehicle having a fraudulent registration that returned "not on file," the department said.

The Nissan initially stopped in the left lane but then took off when troopers approached, causing a short pursuit that the department terminated, police said. A short time later, the Altima was found abandoned and locked, police said.

The New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations and Troopers launched a thorough investigation once again, officials said.

"Their commitment to justice and persistence paid off," the state police department wrote.

The driver, Wilfredo Cabrera, 24, of Brooklyn, was arrested on May 15, police said.

Cabrera was charged with reckless endangerment, third-degree unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, reckless driving, and multiple vehicle and traffic law violations, police said. Cabrera is due in court June 4.