Nassau Police: Freeport Man Fleeing Altercation in Vehicle Drags Officer Down Street
Franklin Square, NY - January 8, 2017 - The Fifth Squad reports the arrest of a Freeport man for an Assault that occurred on Saturday, January 06, 2018 at 5:37 p.m. in Franklin Square.
According to detectives, an officer observed a verbal altercation between two motorists who were blocking the roadway on Hempstead Turnpike. As the officer approached a 2005 Toyota Camry and requested the driver to step out of the vehicle, the driver/defendant, Victor Natal, 40, of Freeport did in an attempt to flee the scene, rapidly accelerated the vehicle catching the officer’s jacket sleeve and subsequently dragged the officer several feet. Defendant Natal then struck three motor vehicles on Hempstead Turnpike causing injury to one operator and one passenger in a separate vehicle.
The victims were transported to an area hospital and treated for their injuries. After the collision, the defendant fled the scene on foot and was apprehended and placed under arrest at 5:40pm in the rear yard of a residence on Monroe Street. Defendant Natal resisted arrest in attempt to avoid being handcuffed causing an officer to suffer injuries to his knee and elbow; the officer was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries.
Defendant Victor Natal is charged with four counts of Assault 2nd Degree, Reckless Endangerment 2nd Degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th Degree, Leaving the Scene of an Auto Accident, Resisting Arrest, Reckless Driving and several New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law violations. He was arraigned in First District Court, Hempstead on Sunday, January 07, 2018.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.