Thief Crashes Stolen Car On North Fork, Tries To Flee: Police

NORTH FORK, NY — A Central Islip man was arrested Friday after he stole a car in Southold Town and then crashed it into a telephone pole before trying to flee the scene, police said.

According to Southold Town police, the incident took place at 11:08 a.m.; officers responded to a report of a stolen motor vehicle from in front of a Main Road business, authorities said. The vehicle's owner reported that the car had been left unlocked and running while they briefly entered a nearby establishment; upon exiting, the owner discovered the vehicle was missing, police said.

Shortly before noon, a Southold Police Department highway patrol officer observed a sedan traveling westbound at a high rate of speed on Route 48, police said. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver failed to comply, accelerating before losing control of the vehicle and crashing into a telephone pole at the northeast corner of Route 48 and Cox Lane in Cutchogue, police said.

The driver exited the vehicle and attempted to flee the scene on foot but was apprehended by the responding officer; the vehicle was confirmed to be the one stolen earlier, police said.

Rohan Fisher, 23, was treated at the scene and refused further medical attention, police said. Fisher was arrested and transported to Southold Town police headquarters for processing; he was charged with felony grand larceny, as well as unlawful fleeing, speeding, and obstruction of governmental administration, police said.