By Jeff Lipton
A reputed member of the Latin Kings street gang who is on parole for robbery was nabbed by police on Sunday after he allegedly stole adult magazines from a Lawrence delicatessen and led police on a brief chase, which ended when he slammed a stolen van into a parked car in Far Rockaway, officials said.
One police officer was injured when he chased the suspect on foot and wrestled with him, officials said.
The incident began at 6:12 P.M. on September 24, when the suspect, who was identified by police as Santiago Clase, 31, of Beach Channel Drive in Far Rockaway, walked into Doughty Deli, located at 50 Doughty Boulevard in Inwood, and walked out with five adult magazines without paying for them, police said. He then drove away in a 1995 gray Ford van, which police said had been previously reported stolen from New York City.
Given a description of the getaway car, Police Officers Michael Harnedy and Kevin Donohue of the Fourth Precinct spotted the vehicle shortly after the theft was reported and ordered the suspect to pull over, officials said. When he allegedly refused their orders, he drove away, striking a parked car at Dwight Street and Hartman Avenue in Far Rockaway. No one was reported injured as a result of the crash, police said.
According to Detective John McGee of the Fourth Squad, Mr. Clase then ditched the stolen van and ran away, with Officer Donohue in pursuit. A short time later, the police officer caught up with the suspect, who allegedly "violently resisted" as the officer struggled to get the handcuffs on him, detectives said. With the assistance of other police officers, Officer Donohue was able to subdue him and place him under arrest, police said.
Officer Donohue strained his shoulder in the struggle and was taken to Nassau County Medical Center in East Meadow, where he was treated for his injury and then released, police said.
Officer Harnedy also discovered marijuana in the suspect's sock during a search prior to his arrest, officials said.
Mr. Clase was charged with criminal possession of stolen property in the third degree, criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, petit larceny, criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, resisting arrest and unlawful possession of marijuana. He was arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead on Monday, September 25.
Detective Sergeant John King of the Fourth Squad said law enforcement authorities recognize members of the notorious local gang the Latin Kings from a "certain signature tattoo" that they wear. "The city knows him, too," Sergeant King said of the suspect. "He is a known gang member."
Inspector Frank Matzen, commanding officer of the Fourth Precinct, said, "This is just another troubling concern of the influence of gangs in our community. We are closely monitoring this."
Police still see it as an isolated incident and not an indication that gang activity is vibrant in the Five Towns. "These gangs are not restricted by community boundaries," Inspector Matzen said. "We haven't seen evidence of organized gang activity [in the Five Towns] but there are certain instances when suspects are apprehended and are affiliated with various gangs.
"There is no doubt that gang activity is an issue throughout Nassau County," Inspector Matzen added. "We do have a gang unit that has been in place for some time to monitor these activities."
Police also have programs in place targeting youth in the community. An Hispanic Outreach Program is an initiative launched a couple of years ago offering diversions for youth who are possibly vulnerable to joining gangs. In addition, bi-lingual Hispanic police officers have visited schools describing the problems associated with gang membership, Inspector Matzen said. He said Hispanic youth are often the victims of the crimes committed by these gangs.
Sergeant King said Mr. Clase has prior arrests for robbery and was on parole for a robbery at the time of his arrest on Sunday.
"It was excellent police work by the officers," Inspector Matzen said. "It's good to get a recidivist off the street."
