Mastic Man Jumps into River While Attempting to Escape Traffic Stop, SCPD Reports
Mastic, NY - May 16, 2018 - Suffolk County Police arrested a Mastic man after he fled from a traffic stop and then jumped into the Forge River in an attempt to escape officers on Tuesday, May 15, 2018.
Seventh Precinct Community Support Unit officers pulled over a 2017 Lincoln MKX on Poospatuck Lane in Mastic at 10:52 a.m. when they recognized the driver as Kareem Eppes who was wanted on two outstanding warrants. As officers approached the vehicle, Eppes fled, eventually driving to the end of a dead end street, Abby Lane. Eppes exited his vehicle and jumped into the Forge River as he attempted to flee from officers.
Seventh Precinct and Emergency Service Section officers and Seventh Squad detectives searched for Eppes, who was spotted, in distress, approximately 20 minutes later approximately 100 yards off shore. Aviation Section officers responded and lowered a life preserver to Eppes who was removed from the water by officers and detectives who borrowed a boat from a nearby resident.
Eppes was transported to Long Island Medical Center in East Patchogue where he was evaluated and released. He was charged with Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle 3rd Degree, Obstructing Governmental Administration 2nd Degree and bench warrants for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th Degree and Criminal Possession of Marijuana 5th Degree.
Eppes, 24, will be held overnight at the Seventh Precinct and arraigned on Wednesday, May 16, at First District Court in Central Islip.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.