Man faces drug charges after fleeing Baldwin traffic stop, say cops

A Freeport man who drove away from troopers after a traffic stop, then struck a tree and hid in bushes near the Southern State Parkway in Baldwin early Tuesday faces multiple charges, including drug possession and forgery, State Police said.

Lawrence Brown, 31, was in a black Hyundai, weaving in and out of lanes on the parkway near Grand Avenue, Exit 20, at about 3:06 a.m., police said.

Troopers stopped the vehicle, and as they approached it to interview the driver, the car was driven away, striking a tree off the Grand Avenue exit ramp, police said.

Brown ran away, but troopers found him hiding in the bushes, according to a news release.

Troopers searching the vehicle found 3 grams of cocaine, drug paraphernalia and a forged Visa debit card, the release said.

Brown is charged with second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, fleeing a police officer and traffic violations.

Nassau County District Court Judge Joy Watson set Brown's bail at $10,000 bond or $5,000 cash, which he had not posted as of Wednesday afternoon. He is due back in court Tuesday.