NYPD officer from LI dragged by car at Manhattan checkpoint

An NYPD officer from Massapequa is recovering from his injuries at a hospital after he was dragged by a Mercedes in the streets of Manhattan.

The NYPD said the officer flagged down a 2004 Mercedes-Benz at a vehicle checkpoint at East 110th Street and Third Avenue in East Harlem about 5 p.m. Friday night, and directed the car to a safety zone for a routine check.

The officer then discovered the driver had a suspended license, and ordered him to step out of the car. But the 23-year-old man instead threw the Mercedes into drive and took off, as the officer clung to the car's steering wheel.

"The police officer attempted to stop the vehicle and grabbed the steering wheel," a police spokesman said. "He was dragged about 10 feet and thrown to the ground."

The suspect sped off in an unknown direction and is still at large, police said.

The officer sustained minor injuries to his knees, back and legs, and was taken to nearby St. Luke's Hospital for treatment.

Police said they are not releasing the names of either the officer or the suspect.