Man accused of truck theft, crash spree

A Long Beach man faces numerous charges, including grand larceny and assault, for allegedly stealing a tow truck, leaving the scene of accidents and fighting with police officers who took him into custody Thursday, police said.

Nassau County police said officers were responding to a call about a car accident at Atlantic Avenue and Lawson Boulevard in Oceanside when they were approached by a man who told them he had been struck by a flatbed truck at Long Beach Road and Daly Boulevard.

Police said they then found a flatbed tow truck in the area that was driven by Richie Medina, 22, of 225 East Hudson St., Long Beach.

During that investigation, the arresting officers discovered a flatbed tow truck had been stolen from 550 Long Beach Blvd. and that Medina had been involved in a second accident and left the scene at Austin Boulevard and California Place in Island Park. A woman told police her car had been struck by a flatbed tow truck.

Medina was arrested and taken to the Fourth Precinct in Hewlett where police said Medina assaulted two officers. One officer's knees were injured, police said, and another suffered a puncture wound to his hand. Medina was handcuffed when a third officer arrived to assist.

Two officers were treated at a hospital. Medina was also transported to Nassau University Medical Center early Friday, said Fourth Squad Det. Sgt. Ronald Nesbitt, though he didn't know what he was being treated for.

It was unclear whether Medina was arraigned Friday on charges of second-degree grand larceny, second-degree criminal possession of stolen property, two counts of second-degree assault, second-degree obstructing governmental administration, unlicensed operator and two counts of leaving the scene of an accident without reporting.