Crime & Safety

Weekend Car Chase, Explosion Injures Seven Police Officers

Man accused of stealing dump truck in Tappan, fleeing from authorities

Seven officers were injured this weekend when an Orangeburg man allegedly stole a dump truck and led authorities on a chase down 9W.

24-year-old Daniel Russo is accused of walking onto the property of Mufson Landscaping in Tappan, using a pickax to damage machinery and then stealing a truck at around 8 a.m on Saturday.

"The chase lasted about 20 minutes," explained Detective Sgt. George Garrecht. The pursuit ended on Route 303; Russo forced motorists and cyclists off the road during the chase, police said.

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Garrecht said Russo was likely driving with the emergency brake on, which heated up the truck's inner tires. Two of the tires ended up exploding, injuring seven officers. They received minor injuries and have since been released from .

Authorities noted Russo was under the influence during the incident. "We found alcohol in his system; he's been charged with driving while intoxicated," Garrecht said. Police are currently awaiting drug test results.

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Russo is being held on $100,000 bail at Rockland County Jail. In addition to the DWI charge, he also faces four felony charges—assault, criminal mischief, attempted grand larceny and reckless endangerment—and three misdemeanors: criminal mischief in the fourth degree, possession of a controlled substance and unlawful fleeing from a police officer. Russo also racked up over a dozen vehicle and traffic infractions.


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