Current:Home > MyProsecutors say a reckless driving suspect bit an NYPD officer’s finger tip off-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Prosecutors say a reckless driving suspect bit an NYPD officer’s finger tip off
View Date:2024-12-25 10:18:03
NEW YORK (AP) — A New York City police officer lost his left ring finger up to the first knuckle when a reckless driving suspect bit him, prosecutors said Wednesday.
Lenni Rodriguez Cruz, 28, could be sentenced to 25 years in prison for leading police on a wild car chase, crashing into several vehicles and biting a sergeant who was trying to put him in a holding cell, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said.
The episode started shortly before midnight on Sept. 20. A police officer patrolling in the Jamaica section of Queens spotted Rodriguez Cruz driving a car with license plates that weren’t registered to the vehicle, Katz said in a news release.
The officer tried to pull Rodriguez Cruz over, but he sped off, mounted a sidewalk and drove through a park, scattering parkgoers as they ran to safety, Katz said.
Rodriguez Cruz kept driving and hit four vehicles including an unmarked police car that was part of a barricade set up to stop him, Katz said. The driver of one of the cars that was hit was treated at a hospital for several injuries, she said.
When officers finally pulled Rodriguez Cruz out of his crashed car, his breath smelled of alcohol, his speech was slurred and there was a cup containing an alcoholic beverage inside the car, Katz said.
Officers took Rodriguez Cruz to the local police station, where he spit on the sergeant and bit the sergeant’s finger tip off, Katz said.
Rodriguez Cruz was arraigned Wednesday on charges including assault on a police officer, driving under the influence of alcohol and driving without a license.
A phone call to his attorney was not immediately returned.
veryGood! (4793)
Related
- Birth control and abortion pill requests have surged since Trump won the election
- Donald Trump’s lawyers focus on outside accountants who prepared his financial statements
- Suspected serial killer faces life in prison after being convicted of 2 murders by Delaware jury
- Wisconsin Republicans pass $2B tax cut heading for a veto by Gov. Tony Evers
- 'I was in total shock': Woman wins $1 million after forgetting lotto ticket in her purse
- Police say a US tourist died when a catamaran carrying more than 100 people sank in the Bahamas
- Report Charts Climate Change’s Growing Impact in the US, While Stressing Benefits of Action
- Gigi Hadid Sets the Record Straight on How She Feels About Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's Romance
- Seattle man faces 5 assault charges in random sidewalk stabbings
- What is December's birthstone? There's more than one. Get to know the colors and symbolism
Ranking
- Video shows Starlink satellite that resembled fireball breaking up over the Southwest: Watch
- Taika Waititi on ‘Next Goal Wins’ and his quest to quit Hollywood
- Colorado mass shooting suspect, who unleashed bullets in supermarket, pleads not guilty
- Extremist-linked rebels kill at least 44 villagers in separate attacks in Congo’s volatile east
- What do nails have to say about your health? Experts answer your FAQs.
- Jason Mraz calls coming out a 'divorce' from his former self: 'You carry a lot of shame'
- Dutch government shelves plans to reduce flights from Amsterdam’s busy Schiphol Airport
- Matt LeBlanc, Courteney Cox remember friend and co-star Matthew Perry after actor's death
Recommendation
-
Biden EPA to charge first-ever ‘methane fee’ for drilling waste by oil and gas companies
-
US to resume food aid deliveries across Ethiopia after halting program over massive corruption
-
EU moves closer to imposing a new set of sanctions on Russia for its war on Ukraine
-
5 years after bankruptcy, Toys R Us continues comeback with store inside Mall of America
-
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Something Corporate
-
Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, Jaden McDaniels ejected after Warriors-Timberwolves fight
-
Google CEO Sundar Pichai returns to court to defend internet company for second time in two weeks
-
New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy announces run for US Senate seat in 2024