A group of thieves, driving luxury Maseratis, led police on a chaotic early morning chase across Long Island after allegedly stealing a catalytic converter, resulting in one officer suffering a broken ankle, as prosecutors reported on Wednesday.
Four men from the Bronx supposedly traveled about 40 miles to Lindenhurst in a 2021 luxury vehicle to snatch catalytic converters from several Toyota Priuses and other cars, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors mentioned that each suspect had specific roles during the theft that occurred on March 7, including using a pump jack to lift vehicles and wielding a power saw to remove converters.
Another individual is believed to have served as a lookout.
However, around 4:30 a.m., a Suffolk County patrol officer attempted to stop the group, which responded by accelerating in their Maserati Levante and fleeing the scene, according to the district attorney’s office.
During the high-speed pursuit on the Southern State Parkway, prosecutors stated that the suspects often exceeded speeds of 90 mph, prompting a second police vehicle to use a spike strip to disable the Maserati’s tires.
Afterward, the suspects fled on foot, and in the process, a Suffolk police officer who was in pursuit fell and broke his ankle, necessitating emergency surgery.
Two suspects, identified as Henry Cruz, 25, and Luis Acosta, 24, were apprehended that morning, while the remaining two, George Santana Sanchez, 34, and Madinson Silverio Ventura, 27, were captured on March 19 at a hotel in the Bronx.
Hybrid cars are often targeted for their catalytic converters, which contain valuable metals that have a high resale value on the black market.
Suffolk District Attorney Raymond Tierney remarked, “These defendants, who are not residents of Suffolk County, are accused of preying on our community through a series of thefts and fleeing from law enforcement, which led to serious injuries for a police officer.” He expressed gratitude towards the patrol officers for their efforts in stopping the suspects.
Each defendant faces serious charges, including assault on a police officer, first-degree deprivation of a motor vehicle, four counts of criminal mischief, and possession of stolen property—all felonies.
At the arraignment on Wednesday, all suspects were ordered to be held on bail amounts of either $500,000 or $250,000. If found guilty of the most serious charges, they could each face up to 15 years in prison.
