A Hampton Bays man was found guilty of injuring two police officers following a pursuit in October 2025. The officers were attempting to place the defendant under arrest for driving with a revoked license and having active warrants.
In the early morning hours of October 19, 2025, a Southampton Town police officer responded to a call for service at Terrell Harris’ residence in Hampton Bays. Harris immediately fled in a Ford SUV when the officer arrived.
A database check at the scene revealed that Harris had a revoked license and active warrants for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and driving while intoxicated.
The officer located Harris parked outside the Hampton Bays Library approximately an hour after responding to the residence. The officer approached Harris’ vehicle on foot as a second Southampton Town police officer arrived to assist. Harris immediately drove off at a high rate of speed.
Both officers activated their lights and sirens and pursued the defendant. During the chase, Harris exceeded the speed limit before coming to a stop in his own driveway. When the officers attempted to arrest the defendant, Harris became combative and punched both officers repeatedly, causing injuries. Additional officers arrived on the scene and were able to subdue and apprehend the defendant.
The police officers were transported to the Peconic Bay Medical Center, where they were treated for their injuries as a result of the assault.
On August 20, 2026, Harris was convicted after a jury trial, heard before Acting Supreme Court Justice Bryan Browns, of the following charges:
- two counts of Assault in the Second Degree, Class D violent felonies
- one count of Resisting Arrest, a Class A misdemeanor
- one count of Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the Second Degree, an Unclassified Misdemeanor
- one count of Speeding, an infraction
“Today, a jury found this defendant guilty of failing to comply with officers’ commands and violently assaulting the officers who tried to take him into custody,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. “Assaults on law enforcement in Suffolk County will never be tolerated, and my office will hold dangerous individuals like this fully accountable.”
Upon the jury’s verdict, Harris was remanded by the court. Harris is due back in court on September 22, 2026, for sentencing and faces up to seven years if convicted of the top count.