NEW YORK – Five New York police officers were injured as they tried to arrest a man who allegedly kidnapped a woman at the threat of a knife while walking on Long Island Wednesday night.
The five police officers, three of whom were injured trying to stop the driver and two of whom were injured trying to stop him, have been assessed in hospital and are expected to be fine, according to Suffolk County authorities.
According to the preliminary investigation, Holmark Garces, 33, of Bay Shore, allegedly abducted the woman, believed to be his girlfriend, at around 10:30 pm as she walked along Grant Avenue near Studley Street in Brentwood. . Authorities said her suspect forced her into her car by pointing a knife and drove off with her.
Witnesses called the emergency health services.
Suffolk County police officers saw Garces’ Toyota traveling east on the Southern State Parkway and tried to stop him, but he avoided them and continued driving west. Local aviation units tracked him down from above.
Garces continued driving through Nassau County in Queens and then along the Belt Parkway to Brooklyn, where he got off at Exit 4. NYPD agents recognized his car and followed him.
His patrol cars cornered Garces’ vehicle near 86th Street and 12th Avenue in Dyker Heights in Brooklyn, a neighborhood known nationally for its glittering Christmas decorations. One of the police cars parked to death in the trial and rear-ended another, leaving three officers with minor injuries. Eventually Garces was arrested.
Cops say he resisted arrest and two officers who complained of pain while taking him into custody were also evaluated in the hospital. They were also subsequently discharged.
Garces was also taken to the hospital after New York police said he suffered a minor cut during the chaotic arrest. The woman he allegedly kidnapped, along with the knife he allegedly used to threaten her, were found in her car, authorities say.
The woman refused on-site medical treatment and was released.
NYPD officials say Garces will be charged in the city with reckless danger, obstructing government administration, escaping from an officer in a motor vehicle and other traffic violations. After his indictment, he will be sent to Long Island to face charges including kidnapping and criminal contempt. His attorney’s details have not been released.
