Speeding motorcyclist arrested on tip

A speeding motorcyclist who eluded troopers early Monday on the Southern State Parkway in South Farmingdale was caught after his passenger -- dropped off safely by the motorcycle driver -- identified him, State Police said.

Shakir Smith, 32, of Huntington, was charged with fleeing an officer in a motor vehicle, resisting arrest, reckless driving, aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle and several traffic violations, State police said.

Smith is scheduled to be arraigned Monday at First District Court in Central Islip.

Police said Smith was speeding with a passenger near the Bethpage State Parkway at about 1:37 a.m. He refused to stop and continued eastbound on the parkway before exiting at Babylon, police said.

After dropping off the passenger at an undisclosed location, Smith continued to flee at a high rate of speed, according to a news release.

Police stopped and interviewed the passenger, who identified the speeding motorcyclist.

Police said Smith ran off when police arrived at his Huntington home to arrest him. After a short foot pursuit by troopers and a State Police canine unit, Smith was arrested, the release said.