A Bay Shore man has been arrested for possession of a firearm and drugs after he drove the wrong way in an effort to elude the authorities.
On March 9 at about 3:09 p.m., New York State officers were patrolling westbound on the Southern State Parkway when they saw a Ford Taurus with Florida plates stop on the Exit 41S ramp. When officers attempted to check the vehicle, the driver, Samuel Colon, 50, made an illegal turn and fled, driving west in the eastbound lanes of Bay Shore Road.
Officers followed the vehicle, which crashed into the guide rail on the southbound Sagtikos State Parkway, at the Exit S3 ramp. Colon refused officers’ orders multiple times and was removed from the vehicle. Colon showed signs of intoxication and was arrested for driving while intoxicated.
During the investigation, officers found a loaded semi-automatic handgun on the front passenger floorboard along with cocaine on Colon’s person. The officers’ investigation determined that the loaded handgun and vehicle in Colon’s possession had been reported stolen.
Colon was issued the following charges:
- Driving While Under the Influence (a Class E Felony)
- Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in the third degree (a Class A Misdemeanor)
- Resisting Arrest (a Class A Misdemeanor)
- Reckless Endangerment in the second degree (a Class A Misdemeanor)
- Reckless Driving (an Unclassified Misdemeanor)
- Criminal Possession Stolen Property in the fifth degree (a Class A Misdemeanor)
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the second degree (a Class C Felony)
- Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance in the third degree (a Class B Felony)
- Criminal Possession Stolen Property in the fourth degree (a Class E Felony)
- Criminal Possession Stolen Property in the fourth degree – Firearms (a Class E Felony)
- Unauthorized Use Vehicle, Without Owner Consent (a Class A Misdemeanor)
Colon was also charged with various vehicle and traffic law violations.