Aug. 17, 2022 By Michael Dorgan
An unstable man was arrested in Long Island City Monday after he threw a brick at an ambulance and assaulted four people – including two police officers who were attempting to cuff him, according to police and published reports.
The incident unfolded on the corner of 45th Avenue and Vernon Boulevard at around 9:30 p.m. when Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were called to the scene to give aid to 46-year-old Jose Vazquez, according to police.
Vazquez, who lives on 46th Avenue, had a cut on his wrist and was acting erratically, prompting a resident to call for medical assistance.
When an ambulance arrived, Vazquez became irate and began to act out. He then hurled a brick at the ambulance — damaging a side window on the vehicle, cops said.
Police were then called to the scene and attempted to take Vazquez into custody, but he began flailing his arms and refused arrest. He then punched and spat at the responding officers, according to police.
Vazquez was eventually brought under control by police and then taken to Cornell for evaluation.
Two cops and one emergency medical technician (EMT) sustained minor injuries and were taken to a local hospital for treatment, police said. The New York Daily News reported that a bystander also suffered minor injuries during the incident.
Vazquez was charged with three counts of assaulting a police officer or an emergency medical services professional, criminal mischief, resisting arrest and harassment.