Roger Foster, of Florida, whose car plunged off cliff after chase, pleads not guilty

A Florida man who led Southold police on an hourlong chase on the North Fork at speeds of up to 100 mph and drove off a cliff into Long Island Sound in Greenport pleaded not guilty Wednesday to felony criminal mischief and other charges.

Roger T. Foster, 56, was charged with felony criminal mischief and violating a protective order when police said he punctured the tire of a 2018 Ford Escape parked at the Southold Town Annex. Police said the vandalism violated a protective order issued in September, according to court records.

An officer had attempted to stop Foster’s silver Chevrolet Malibu with Florida plates just before 11 a.m. on Middle Road in Southold because he was wanted after a domestic incident, police said. They said Foster initially pulled over during the traffic stop, but then sped away as the officer walked up to his car.

That initiated the pursuit back and forth from Southold to Riverhead, police said. Several Southold police cars followed Foster’s car, joined by a helicopter, as he drove at speeds exceeding 100 mph in a 55 mph zone, court records state. Police said Foster drove “in a highly erratic and reckless manner" by swerving through traffic on both sides of the road, nearly striking other vehicles.

Police said he intentionally hit a wooden guardrail during the chase when he drove off a bluff without stopping and plunged 100 feet down into the water at 67 Steps Beach on Sound Road in Greenport.

Police went into the water, which was 3 to 5 feet deep, and pulled Foster out of the car. Police said he was uninjured and was arrested on charges related to the chase. He also had two active warrants.

Prosecutors also charged him with two misdemeanor counts following the chase of fleeing officers and property damage.

Foster’s attorney could not be reached for comment.

A judge set bail at $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond, or $2.5 million partially secured bond.

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.