Hempstead, NY - August 29, 2018 - Third Squad detectives report the arrest of a Hempstead man for an incident that occurred on Tuesday, August 28, 2018 at 3:00 pm in Hempstead.
According to detectives, Laron Watts, 18, was observed by Hempstead Police driving a vehicle that was reported stolen from Port Washington. Officers followed Watts and attempted to pull him over. While at W. Columbia Street and Morrell Street officers pulled up alongside Watts motioning for him to remain parked. Watts then, in an attempt to evade officers, struck the officers vehicle, causing one officer to sustain minor injuries; he then continued to flee. A short time later the vehicle was observed on Stevens Avenue and officers began conducting a search of the area.
Watts, who had unlawfully entered a nearby home on Stevens Avenue, was confronted by a resident of the home and demanded he leave. After initially refusing to leave, Watts then observed officers approaching the home and fled through a side door. Officers observed him and after a short foot pursuit he was placed into custody.
Watts is charged with Burglary 2nd Degree, Assault 2nd Degree, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 4th Degree, Unlawful Imprisonment 2nd Degree, Leaving the scene of an Accident with Injury and Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle.
During his arrest processing Watts was found to be the subject of other unrelated crimes and was additionally charged with Grand Larceny 4th Degree, two (2) counts of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 4th Degree, Identity Theft 2nd Degree and Identity Theft 3rd Degree. He will be arraigned in First District Court, Hempstead on 8/29/2018.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.