Suspect Also Allegedly Dragged Woman across Parking Lot
A Mount Sinai man was indicted for allegedly forcibly stealing a woman’s pocketbook and fleeing from Suffolk County police officers.
On February 18 at approximately 1:00 p.m., Mark Callahan was driving through a shopping center parking lot on Nesconset Highway in Port Jefferson while the victim was walking from her car to a nail salon in the same shopping center. Callahan allegedly drove his black Chevrolet Suburban directly up to the victim and jumped out of the driver’s side of the vehicle. Callahan allegedly grabbed the strap of the pocketbook the victim was carrying, but she would not let go and fought to hold on to her purse. Callahan allegedly climbed back into the driver’s seat of the Suburban, while still holding on to the pocketbook.
Subsequently, Callahan allegedly began to drive away while the victim clung to her purse, causing her to be dragged across the pavement. After a short time, the victim was forced to let go, and Callahan allegedly drove off with her pocketbook.
The Suffolk County Police Department was notified and responded to the scene. A pursuit ensued where Callahan allegedly drove at speeds in excess of 90 miles per hour. He crashed through a snow embankment into a parking lot and ultimately struck another vehicle before stopping. When approached by police, Callahan allegedly brandished a knife and stabbed himself eleven times in the abdomen. The victim was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital, where she was treated for multiple abrasions to her left leg and arm. Her pocketbook was later recovered by police along the route of the pursuit.
On March 4, Callahan, 53, was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice Richard Ambro for Robbery in the Second Degree, a Class C violent felony, and Unlawful Fleeing of a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree, a Class A misdemeanor. Justice Ambro ordered Callahan held on $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond, or $2,500,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case.
“This indictment sends a clear message that in Suffolk County, we will not tolerate violent acts that threaten the safety and security of our residents,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. “What began as an attempted purse theft escalated into a terrifying ordeal for this victim. Protecting the quality of life in Suffolk means holding offenders accountable and ensuring that our community remains a place where families can shop, work, and live without fear.”
Callahan is due back in court on March 23 and faces 15 years in prison if convicted on the top count.