Long Island Man Dragged Driver, Punched Officer, Then Tried To Steal Police Car: Police

LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — A Lake Ronkonkoma man has been charged in connection with stealing a car, then dragging its owner for over one block, before punching a police sergeant in the face, and trying to steal a marked police vehicle on Saturday, Suffolk police said.

At around 7:11 a.m. on Saturday, a 45-year-old man was driving a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox on School Street in Ronkonkoma when William Gilmartin jumped onto the hood of the SUV, police said, adding that during an argument between the two the Chevy's owner got out of the SUV, and Gilmartin jumped into the driver-side door and sped off.

The Chevy's owner held onto the driver’s side door and was dragged for over one block before being thrown off the SUV, according to police.

Fourth Precinct officers found the SUV at Gilmartin’s home on Arlington Road, and he was seen trying to leave in a black 2005 Nissan Altima that became disabled, police said.

While officers were trying to place Gilmartin under arrest, he punched a sergeant in the face and then ran away, according to police.

Gilmartin went inside a marked police patrol vehicle in an attempt to steal it when another officer opened the door and deployed a Taser, allowing him to be placed into custody, according to police.

The Chevy's owner and the sergeant were both taken to area hospitals for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

Gilmartin, 31, was taken to an area hospital for treatment before being taken to the 4th Precinct, according to police.

He was charged with second-degree robbery, third-degree grand larceny and attempted grand larceny, and first-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree assault on a police officer, and two counts of resisting arrest.

He will be held overnight at the 4th Precinct in Hauppauge and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on July 30.