By: Jerry Burke
A West Hempstead man was arrested and two police officers sustained injuries after an short afternoon chase in West Hempstead last Wednesday.
Fifth Precinct detectives say that Christopher Constant, 32, of West Hempstead had attempted the burglary in East Meadow sometime around 1 p.m. on Jan. 6. A witness to the attempt wrote down the license plate number of the would-be robber's 1991 Buick and alerted police.
After the notification was broadcast, Fifth Precinct Officers Joseph Desantis and James Lee received notification of the registered owner's Oak Street address.
The officers waited a little while and saw Constant pull up in the car. After seeing the officers, Constant drove off and the officers gave chase. After banging into several cars, the alleged robber struck a parked auto on Stratford Road and fled the accident.
The officers pursued Constant as far as the International House of Pancakes on Hempstead Turnpike, where the subject alleged assaulted the pair. Officer Desantis suffered several broken ribs and Officer Lee was also injured. Both were later treated at Mercy Medical Center and released. No other injuries were reported.
Constant was arraigned in First District Court, Hempstead, on charges of second degree burglary, second degree assault, criminal mischief, reckless endangerment, possession of burglar tools and, lastly, leaving the scene of an auto accident.
