Cop shoots out tire of suspect during Franklin Square chase

A Nassau County police officer shot out the front tire of a moving Jeep as its driver tried to avoid arrest on suspected drug and traffic charges Sunday night in Franklin Square, police said.

The driver, Jason Maurus, 36, of Floral Park, now also faces attempted murder charges after he allegedly tried to back his Jeep into one of several Fifth Precinct officers who responded to a 911 call at 11:09 p.m.

One of the officers discharged two shots into the Jeep's front passenger tire, stopping the vehicle, police said. There were no injuries to police in the incident, which included a short car chase, police said.

Fifth Squad detectives said Maurus was driving erratically on lawns on Polk Avenue. When officers arrived at the scene, Maurus had driven off, traveling north on Madison Street, police said.

A patrol car in pursuit put on lights and a siren, police said, but Maurus continued driving, going through stop signs and also swerving the Jeep at the police car. The patrol car nearly hit a tree, police said.

Maurus kept driving for several blocks until reaching a dead end at Lincoln Road, police said. As officers approached the stopped Jeep on foot, Maurus shifted into reverse and drove at the officers, police said. That's when another officer shot out his front tire, according to a report by police.

Police said Maurus had a pipe, "refused to exit his vehicle and resisted arrest by flailing his arms and kicking his legs." He was subdued by several officers and was treated for a bruise on his face at Winthrop-University Hospital in Mineola, the report said.

Maurus, of 90 Bellmore St., is charged with attempted murder, driving while under the influence of drugs, resisting arrest, reckless endangerment, possession of a controlled substance and multiple vehicle and traffic violations, police said. He is scheduled to be arraigned Monday at First District Court in Hempstead.