Man Makes A Run for It With Suffolk Cop's Car and Gun

Routine traffic stop leads to 30-minute chase, arrest
By Samuel Bruchey. STAFF WRITER Copyright 2002 Newsday, Inc.

John Carter was arrested yesterday morning, but not before making off 
with an officer's patrol car and gun, and speeding off 30 minutes with 
police cars and a helicopter in close pursuit, Suffolk police said.

It began as a routine traffic stop in Medford, when a Suffolk police 
officer spotted Carter, 24, of 93 Maple Ave. in Central Islip
driving without a seat belt, and found he was using license plates
that didn't match his car, Seventh Squad Det. Lt. Al Rosen said.

Al Acevedo, a 3 1/2-year veteran, pulled Carter over on County Road 
101 and Long Island Avenue about 10:40 a.m.

The officer instructed Carter to show his hands. Carter refused and 
appeared to reach under his seat, so Acevedo drew his gun, Rosenthal
said. Then, Carter dashed from his car into the woods.

With Acevedo chasing him, Carter circled back to the patrol car - 
its keys still in the ignition, its engine still running.

He hopped in and slammed the door. Acevedo caught up, and smashed 
the driver's window with his gun.

The gun came loose and ends up in the police car," Rosenthal said.

Carter pulled away, then headed north on County Road 101, leaving 
Acevedo to radio for help.

Moments later, Carter was spotted driving east, lights flashing, 
in the westbound lane of the Long Island Expressway, Rosenthal
said. 

After being chased by an officer on a police motorcycle, Carter 
cut across the median, doubled back west, then motored south on
William Floyd Parkway.

Here, he was spotted by police officers near the intersection of 
Flowerhill Road, Rosenthal said. After zig-zagging through a
number of side streets, he hopped back on William Floyd Parkway, 
this time heading south in the northbound lane.

After barreling through a red light at the intersection of Montauk 
Highway, Carter eventually crashed through two stockade fences
on Montauk Highway and Garden Place, Rosenthal said.

It was the thick underbrush that finally brought the stolen patrol
car to a stop.

Carter, who has numerous prior convictions, including an outstanding
warrant for resisting arrest, ran about a quarter-mile and hid
beside a house on Northern Boulevard. The chase ended there, as 
officers finally surrounded Carter and captured him.

He was charged with second-degree robbery, two counts of second-degree
assault, two counts of reckless endangerment and two counts of criminal
mischief. He was held last night at the Fifth Precinct pending
arraignment today in First District Court in Central Islip.


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