QUEENS, NY — Lenni Rodriguez Cruz, a 28-year-old from Brooklyn, was arraigned today on a 15-count indictment stemming from a high-speed chase through Queens, injuring a motorist, and allegedly biting off the fingertip of a police officer.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced the charges, emphasizing the importance of upholding the rule of law.
“The defendant is accused of recklessly putting countless lives at grave risk, injuring a motorist and causing a grievous permanent injury to a police officer. The dangerous lawlessness seen here simply will not be tolerated or excused,” said DA Katz.
The chase began on September 20, around 11:40 p.m., when an officer noticed Rodriguez Cruz driving a blue 2009 Nissan Altima without wearing a seatbelt at the intersection of Liberty Avenue and Merrick Boulevard. Upon realizing the car’s license plate was not registered to the Nissan, the officer attempted to pull him over. Instead of complying, Rodriguez Cruz sped off, driving recklessly through Rufus King Park, endangering parkgoers, and leading police on a chase through approximately 20 red lights.
During the pursuit, Rodriguez Cruz drove the wrong way into oncoming traffic, causing multiple collisions and injuring a motorist so severely they required hospitalization. He eventually crashed into an unmarked police vehicle set up as a barricade, narrowly avoiding injuring three officers who managed to exit the vehicle in time.
Evidence from the scene suggests Rodriguez Cruz was under the influence, with bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and a noticeable odor of alcohol. An alcoholic beverage was found in his vehicle.
At the 103rd police precinct, Rodriguez Cruz turned violent, striking and spitting on a sergeant before biting off the tip of the officer’s left ring finger, resulting in the need for stitches and a revision amputation.
Rodriguez Cruz now faces charges that include assault, reckless endangerment, obstructing governmental administration, fleeing from a police officer, and operating a vehicle under the influence. If convicted, he could serve up to 25 years in prison. Supreme Court Justice Toni Cimino has scheduled the next court appearance for November 15.