Police ID chase suspect, still seek accomplice

A man is under arrest and police are still searching for his accomplice following a police chase Tuesday afternoon in which the driver attempted to run down an officer -- who then shot the suspect once in the arm, police said.

Nassau police identified the driver Wednesday as Lerone Copeland, 27, of 11 Geraldine Ave., Amityville.

Shot once in the left arm and treated at an area hospital, Copeland has been arrested and charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, second-degree assault, third-degree assault, two counts of first-degree reckless endangerment, reckless driving and unlicensed operator.

It was unclear when he would be arraigned.

Police said Wednesday they are still looking for a passenger who fled the scene.

The incident began when detectives from the Nassau Bureau of Special Operations attempted to make a traffic stop during a drug investigation in North Massapequa Tuesday, police said.

The driver, trying to flee the stop, drove toward one of the officers, police said.

Then the driver fled the scene -- heading onto the Southern State Parkway.

Police pursued the vehicle only to have the driver take the Lexus off the road and get stuck in the mud. But when police approached the car, police said Copeland drove off, dragging an officer with him.

The officer then fired a shot from his service weapon, striking Copeland in the arm, police said.

Police then pursued the Lexus to County Line Road, where the car crashed into a tree stump at the intersection with Locust Avenue in Amityville. Copeland was arrested there at 3:09 p.m. while the passenger fled the scene.

Both the officer and another officer involved in the chase were treated at a hospital for undisclosed injuries and released.

Copeland was treated at Nassau University Medical Center. Police said the case remains under investigation and additional charges are possible.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 800-244-TIPS.

All calls will remain confidential, police said.

By JOHN VALENTI AND MATTHEW CHAYES (Newsday)
Posted Tuesday, November 25, 2008

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