Long Island man slashed, stabbed cop to avoid car theft arrest: DA
A Long Island man accused of lunging at a Suffolk County police officer and slashing and stabbing him to avoid arrest has been indicted on multiple charges, prosecutors announced Wednesday.
Steven Vazquez, 22, of Bay Shore, was hiding underneath a black pickup truck on Gibbs Road in Amityville in the early hours of May 6 when he was spotted by two officers canvassing the area for a suspect believed to be breaking into vehicles, officials said.
When the officers approached the vehicle, Vazquez 'allegedly came out from underneath the truck armed with a knife and lunged at him,' according to the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office.
He then 'slashed the officer on the neck and chin area and then stabbed him on his upper right leg and groin area,' officials said.
According to Suffolk County Commissioner Kevin Catalina, Vazquez 'immediately emerged with a knife' when the officers attempted to arrest him, WABC reported at the time.
Vazquez also refused to follow police commands and became violent while resisting arrest, leading the officer's partner to use a Taser to subdue him.
He was arrested at the scene, officials said. The injured officer was taken to a nearby hospital and required stitches to close wounds on his chin and neck.
On Tuesday, Vazquez was arraigned on multiple charges, including attempted aggravated assault on a police officer and menacing a police officer. He pleaded not guilty and was ordered held without bail for the duration of the case, online court records show.
District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney said his office will prosecute the alleged crime to the fullest extent of the law, adding, 'Our harshest penalties are reserved for those who violently assault police officers.'
Vazquez faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted on the top count. He's due back in court on July 1.
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