A Mastic man has been indicted for assault, reckless endangerment and other related charges, for allegedly throwing a glass bottle at a police officer and then crashing his vehicle into a marked police vehicle during a pursuit.
On August 17, John Imbasciani, 45, was driving his car when he allegedly threw a full glass bottle at a uniformed Suffolk County police officer, who was standing next to his marked police vehicle. That officer got into his vehicle and pursued Imbasciani. The officer attempted to perform a vehicle and traffic stop by activating his lights and sirens, but Imbasciani did not stop.
A second police officer, also in a marked police unit, then joined in the pursuit. Imbasciani then allegedly intentionally crashed his vehicle into the second police vehicle.
The crash damaged the police car, and the officer involved in the collision sustained physical injuries requiring medical attention. Imbasciani was arrested after the crash.
Imbasciani was arraigned on August 28 on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Judge Richard I. Horowitz, for the following charges:
- two counts of second-degree assault , both Class D felonies
- one count of second-degree criminal mischief, also a Class D felony
- one count of third-degree assault, a Class A misdemeanor
- one count of second-degree reckless endangerment, a Class A misdemeanor
- one count of reckless Driving, an unclassified misdemeanor
- one count of unlawful fleeing from a police officer, a Class A misdemeanor
Imbasciani was held without bail.
“Protecting our police officers in the performance of their duties is of the utmost importance,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. “Those that seek to avoid apprehension and endanger our officers will be held accountable.”