Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
A high-speed police pursuit ended in a dramatic crash and arrest on Third Street late yesterday afternoon, after a vehicle turned the wrong way off of Avenue C and was rammed by pursuing officers.
Multiple witnesses described seeing law enforcement, including state police serving as backup, quickly apprehend at least one suspect. Two men were believed to be in the vehicle.
According to law enforcement officials, the NYPD's Narcotics Unit made the arrest. The suspect, a 39-year-old male, was said to be well-known to the Narco Unit and had several prior arrests for possession of drugs. Police sources said the suspect had a loaded firearm and unspecified drugs at the time of the arrest. (Updated: Police identified the suspect as
Solne Martinez, an East Village resident.)The suspect's vehicle collided with another car belonging to a physician from the RYAN/NENA health center between Avenue C and Avenue D.
The doctor was not inside at the time.
"I spoke to the police, I was not in the car when it happened," he said.
The incident occurred outside Loisaida Drugs and Surgical at 273 E. Third St., just east of Avenue C.
A pharmacist, who declined to give his name, said he came outside after hearing the crash.
"I saw the police and the driver putting his hands up. They cuffed him," he said. "The passenger had a gun — I could see the gun. I did not see them arrest the passenger, only the driver."
Another local worker witnessed the scene as well.
"It was a brownish-tan gun. Law enforcement arrested the driver and put the gun on the hood of the car. I took a picture of the guy, and he flipped me off."
One bystander described seeing officers "T-bone the guy" after a chase down Third Street, noting that police removed a duffle bag from the vehicle's trunk after the arrest.
At least one other vehicle at the scene sustained a broken window, though it's unclear how it happened. Photos show law enforcement conducting a fingerprinting procedure using Cyanoacrylate (superglue) solution.
A pedestrian sustained minor injuries during the chase and was taken to the hospital. She is expected to recover.
It was not immediately clear where the chase started.
This is a developing story, and authorities are expected to release more details soon. Some elements of the account may be updated as new information becomes available.
...Clash City Tattoo...
...HAGS...
... CLLCTV...
... Stoned Pizza...
...iGirl...
...Exit9...
...Laundry Mart...
...Essex Card Shop...
... 3rd & B'zaar...
... C&B Cafe's Jaylen (on the right and with a friend)...
... and EV resident Lenny Rotali, who recently retired from the Tompkins Square Station of the USPS ...
