Feb. 22, 2023 By Julia Moro
Police arrested two teenagers and are searching for a third suspect who were caught on camera attempting to drive away in a stolen vehicle before crashing in South Richmond Hill, sending the driver who had jumped onto the roof flying off the car, according to authorities.
According to authorities, on Monday night, Feb. 20, a 28-year-old man was standing next to his 2006 Lexus that was running and parked outside of a Taco Bell at 119-16 Liberty Ave. when three unknown individuals jumped into the car and attempted to steal it.
As suspects drove off traveling northbound on Lefferts Boulevard, heading toward Liberty Avenue, the victim jumped onto the vehicle’s roof rack, police said.
The driver was allegedly traveling at a high speed when he lost control and struck a fire hydrant, causing the vehicle to turn on its side and sending the victim flying off the car and to the ground, according to authorities.
Video footage posted by the Twitter account @CrimeInNYC caught the incident.
Police say the three individuals exited the vehicle and fled the scene on foot. Officers were able to apprehend two of the three thieves and took them into custody. Reports indicate that two of the individuals, both 15, were charged with assault, grand larceny auto, criminal possession of stolen property and unauthorized use of a vehicle. The third individual is still at-large, according to police.
Officers from the 106th Precinct responded to the scene at approximately 9:45 p.m. and found the victim lying unconscious with sever trauma to his body. According to reports, EMS transported the man to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where he is listed in critical condition.
The NYPD Highway Collision Investigation Squad is investigating.