Police: Passengers in stolen SUV arrested, driver still sought

State Police are seeking the driver of a stolen sport utility vehicle who led troopers on a long chase Monday, before hitting a trooper vehicle on a street in Freeport and fleeing on foot.

Police said five passengers in the vehicle were arrested and charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property. The identities of those defendants have not been released, police citing the ongoing investigation. All are scheduled for arraignment Tuesday in First District Court in Hempstead, State Police said.

Police said the driver, as well as another passenger who fled, are still being sought.

The afternoon chase started when a trooper from the Lake Success barracks tried to stop the SUV, a black Mitsubishi Outlander reported stolen in New York City, for speeding on the Ocean Parkway, near the Wantagh State Parkway.

But State Police spokesman Frank Bandiero said Monday that the SUV eventually made its way to the northbound Meadowbrook State Parkway, exited at Babylon Turnpike, then re-entered the Meadowbrook going southbound -- before the driver left the Meadowbrook again at the Merrick Road exit, where the SUV hit another vehicle. The driver continued, but unexpectedly stopped and hit a pursuing trooper's car at Lena Avenue and Wallace Street in Freeport, just north of Sunrise Highway, Bandiero said.

State and parks police took the five passengers into custody at the scene, police said.

But, the driver and another occupant ran off, police said.

There was substantial front-end damage to the SUV, but Bandiero said there were no reports of serious injuries.

Investigators ask anyone with information to contact them at the Valley Stream barracks at 516-561-8492. All calls will remain confidential.

With Ellen Yan

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”