Suffolk County Police arrested a homeless man for grand larceny and DWI after he stole an Uber driver’s vehicle in Commack.
On October 13, an Uber driver left the motor running in his 2012 Honda Accord in the parking lot of 88 Veterans Memorial Highway as he was picking up a food order to be delivered, when a man got into the vehicle and drove away at approximately 8:55 p.m.
The vehicle crashed into a curb and a fire hydrant a short distance away. The man exited the vehicle and fled on foot into a heavily wooded area. A Canine Unit officer and his dog located the man lying down in the woods. He was placed under arrest.
Fourth Squad detectives charged Joseph Ellis, 45, who is undomiciled, with two counts of third-degree grand larceny. Patrol officers determined that Ellis was impaired and charged him with driving while intoxicated and nine outstanding warrants. He was held overnight and was scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on October 14.