Police say a man has been arrested in Mount Sinai after he
crashed a stolen vehicle into two police cars while fleeing from officers.
According to police, Christopher Cruz stole a 2015 Jeep
Grand Cherokee from the driveway of a residence on Oakland Avenue in Port
Jefferson Station at approximately 11:40 p.m. Tuesday.
Officers in an unmarked police vehicle saw the Jeep pull
into the parking lot of Mobil, located at on Route 112 in Coram, at
approximately 12:05 a.m.
Officers in marked police vehicles arrived at the scene
moments later. Cruz rammed the Jeep into one of the police vehicles, injuring
an officer, and then fled the scene.
Cruz lost control of the Jeep a short time later and crashed
into a snowbank near the intersection of Canal Road and Strathmore Court in
Mount Sinai.
When officers arrived at the scene, Cruz rammed the Jeep
into a second police vehicle and attempted to drive away before crashing into
another snowbank and coming to a stop.
One officer was injured as Cruz was being taken into
custody.
Cruz was transported to St. Charles Hospital in Port
Jefferson where he was treated for minor injuries and released. The two injured
police officers were transported to a hospital for treatment of
non-life-threatening injuries.
Cruz, 30, who is undomiciled, was charged with grand larceny,
assault, criminal mischief and resisting arrest.