Roosevelt Man Leads Nassau, Suffolk Cops on High-Speed Chase Through Multiple Towns
Nassau County, NY - September 18, 2017 - The First Squad reports the arrest of a Roosevelt man for Assault and Unlawful Fleeing of a Police Officer that occurred on Saturday, September 16, 2017 at 12:03 am in Uniondale.
According to detectives, Officers were canvassing the Uniondale area, when they observed a suspicious vehicle that matched a description from an earlier crime in the parking lot of 1220 Front Street. When the officer approached the 2001 Honda Odyssey, the driver fled the scene eastbound onto Front Street. The officer returned to his patrol vehicle, activated the emergency lights and followed the automobile eastbound onto Hempstead Turnpike, attempting to pull it over. In East Meadow the driver collided into a fence, but continued driving recklessly eastbound on Hempstead Turnpike through East Meadow, Levittown, Bethpage, Farmingdale and crossing into Suffolk County.
Suffolk County Police Officers assisted as the driver drove recklessly through the towns of Wyandanch, Deer Park and Brentwood. The vehicle then maneuvered northbound onto Grant Avenue, Brentwood and came to a stop after colliding into a wooded area on Grant Avenue. Officers verbally instructed the defendant to exit the vehicle. When officers approached, the defendant resisted arrest by kicking and flailing his arms.
Police Officers were able to place defendant Joel Legette, 47, under arrest. After an investigation, it was determined that the defendant was not involved in the earlier incident. Subsequent to the arrest a small clear plastic bag containing a greenish brown leafy substance believed to be marijuana was recovered in the defendant’s property.
During the arrest processing procedure at the First Precinct, defendant Legette was escorted to the men’s bathroom. Defendant Legette refused to return to his cell and started violently punching the officers and flailing his arms. It took six officers to restrain the defendant and return him to his cell. Three officers suffered injuries to their head, neck, wrist and leg. They were transported to a local hospital for treatment of their injuries.
Defendant Legette is being charged with 3 counts of Assault, Reckless Endangerment 2nd Degree, Unlawful Fleeing of a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle 3rd Degree, Resisting Arrest, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana, 2 counts of Obstructing Governmental Administration 2nd Degree, and numerous Vehicle and Traffic Laws. He will be arraigned on Sunday, September 17, 2017 at First District Court, Hempstead.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.