Argument Turns Violent In Wantagh; Officers Hurt In Chase: Police

WANTAGH, NY — A Wantagh man was arrested as a verbal argument turned violent on Tuesday, where officers were injured in a chase, police said.

A woman, 62, got into an altercation with Joseph Anderson, 61, about him being intoxicated and violating an active order of protection, police said.

The victim attempted to call 911 but Anderson removed the phone from her hand before she could make the call, police said.

Anderson placed his hands around the victim’s throat and squeezed until it became difficult to breath. The victim was pushed to the ground before he approached her from behind
from the rear and placed his forearm across her throat, police said.

During the altercation, Anderson made violent threats causing the victim to fear for
her safety.

He fled the scene in a gray 2006 Jeep Cherokee.

Officers responded and were speaking to the victim when Anderson was spotted driving in the
area. Police found his vehicle parked. Anderson exited his vehicle and approached officers
with a pipe in his hands and over his head, police said.

Officers placed their vehicle in reverse. Anderson entered his vehicle and accelerated in an unsafe
manner, striking the officer’s vehicle in the front and driver’s side.

Officers attempted to stop Anderson in his vehicle, but he continued eastbound on Sunrise Highway police said.

Anderson was ultimately stopped on the northbound entrance ramp of Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway where he was placed in custody.

Two officers were taken to a hospital for treatment in an auto accident. The officer driving the patrol car which Anderson struck, was also brought to an area hospital for evaluation and treatment, police said.

Anderson is charged with first-degree criminal contempt, second-degree criminal
contempt, second-degree assault, third-degree criminal mischief, fourth-degree criminal
mischief, criminal obstruction of breathing, three counts of second-degree menacing and first-degree driving while intoxicated, police said.

He will be arraigned when medically practically.