By Andrew Hackmack
Richard Maldonado, 48, of 135 Copiague Street in Valley Stream, is charged with the attempted murder of two Nassau County police officers, along with a host of other crimes. Fifth Squad detectives say he attempted to run over the officers when fleeing his home last Wednesday afternoon. He was later pulled over and arrested in Queens.
Nassau County Police Detective Lt. Kevin Smith said the chase began after Maldonado's car was spotted parked on Copiague Street in Valley Stream. On May 14, an officer on routine patrol noticed the car, which matched the description of a vehicle seen leaving the scene of a home burglary the day before.
Smith said that Maldonado burglarized a home on Alden Street on May 13. As he was leaving, a women who lives there came home. She was able to give a description of the car -- a silver Chrysler Pacifica with some missing door handles. The woman was also able to get three digits of the license plate. "Fortunately for us," Smith said, "she was a good witness."
After the officer spotted the vehicle, he notified investigators. Two plain clothes officers came and staked out the car parked on Copiague Street. At about 3:30 p.m., Maldonado entered his vehicle and the two officers approached him. They identified themselves and that is when police say Maldonado fled, nearly running over the officers.
A notification was broadcast to other departments and Maldonado was arrested by the New York City Police Department on a service road for the Van Wyck Expressway. He was later turned over to Fifth Precinct Police.
Maldonado is charged with two counts of attempted murder of a police officer, four counts of second-degree burglary, criminal possession of stolen property and identity theft.
In addition to the burglary on May 13, police say he also robbed homes in Valley Stream on April 11, 15 and 18. Smith said numerous electronics were recovered from Maldonado's car and home.
