Cops: Lake Ronkonkoma man tried to steal SUV, police vehicle
A Lake Ronkonkoma man was arrested and charged after allegedly stealing a sport utility vehicle in Ronkonkoma and assaulting an investigating Suffolk County police officer before attempting to flee in a marked patrol vehicle, authorities said.
William Gilmartin, 31, is facing an array of criminal charges, including robbery, grand larceny and assaulting a police officer, following the incident, which began at 7:11 a.m. Saturday, according to a Suffolk police news release.
The 45-year-old driver of a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox was on School Street in Ronkonkoma when Gilmartin jumped onto the SUV, police said. The driver exited and the two men exchanged words before Gilmartin hopped into the driver’s seat and drove off, dragging the owner of the vehicle for more than a block as he hung onto the driver’s side door, according to police.
Fourth Precinct officers later located the stolen vehicle at Gilmartin’s home on Arlington Road. They then spotted him attempting to leave the area in a Nissan Altima that became disabled. As they moved to place him under arrest, Gilmartin punched one of the officers in the face and ran to a marked patrol vehicle, police said.
Gilmartin tried to steal the police vehicle but an officer opened the door and deployed a Taser, ending the struggle, according to the release.
He was charged with second-degree robbery, third-degree grand larceny, third-degree attempted grand larceny, first-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree assault on a police officer and two counts of resisting arrest.
During his arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip on Sunday, Gilmartin pleaded not guilty, online records show. He is expected back in court on Aug. 10.
Gilmartin's lawyer, Matthew Brendan Tuohy, on Sunday evening described Gilmartin as a nice young man who has never been in trouble with the law.
Tuohy said his client posted $5,000 cash bail. He said they are looking into underlying medical conditions as a possible defense.
“He wants to make sure that nobody got hurt or injured badly,” he said. “I feel positive that we will be able to resolve this successfully down the road.”
The owner of the Chevrolet and the police officer who was struck were both transported to hospitals for treatment of injuries that were not life-threatening, police said.
Grant Parpan covers Suffolk County courts and federal courts for Newsday. A Long Island native, he joined Newsday in 2022.
