Three people were arrested for allegedly possessing drugs that were found in a car during a traffic stop in East Garden City.
On August 8 at 11:26 p.m., Nassau County Criminal Intelligence Rapid Response Team (CIRRT) officers, while on routine patrol, observed a red 2024 Toyota heading southbound on Merchant Concourse being operated at a high rate of speed and changing lanes unsafely. Officers activated their emergency lights and conducted a Vehicle and Traffic Law (VTL) stop.
During the investigation, officers observed a clear plastic bag containing pills believed to be Methylenedioxymethamphetamine in plain sight. Officers attempted to place the defendants under arrest when Shaking Vereen, 34, of 101 Taylor Avenue, Westbury, allegedly attempted to flee the scene on foot. After a brief foot pursuit and numerous verbal commands, Vereen allegedly became violent and combative, causing officers to utilize a Taser to place him into custody. He was transported to a local area hospital for evaluation and treatment.
An officer suffered injuries to his wrist, shoulder, elbow and knees and was also transported to a nearby hospital. Damien Smith, 34, of 101 Taylor Avenue, Westbury and Kayla Gries, 29, of 53 Ocean Avenue, Malverne, were placed under arrest without incident.
Smith was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree and multiple VTL violations. Gries was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree. Both were released on Appearance Tickets.
Police charged Vereen with two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, Assault in the Second Degree, Resisting Arrest, Obstructing Governmental Administration and having an active Nassau County warrant. He was arraigned on August 9 at First District Court in Hempstead.