BROOKLYN, NY – A 28-year-old man, identified as Lenni Rodriguez-Cruz, was arrested on Wednesday after a chaotic series of events that included a car crash involving an NYPD squad car and three other vehicles. The situation escalated further when Rodriguez-Cruz allegedly bit off a piece of a police sergeant’s finger while in custody.
Law enforcement sources have described Rodriguez-Cruz as an undocumented immigrant with emotional disturbances. Following his arrest, the Brooklyn resident faced a total of 10 charges.
The incident began late Wednesday night when officers attempted to stop a blue 2009 Nissan Altima with expired out-of-state license plates, which were registered to a different vehicle. Instead of complying, Rodriguez-Cruz reportedly sped away, leading police on a dangerous chase through Rufus King Park on Liberty Avenue. Eyewitnesses reported seeing pedestrians jumping out of the way as the car sped through the park.
The pursuit continued onto Hillside Avenue where Rodriguez-Cruz allegedly drove into oncoming traffic, resulting in a collision with four vehicles, including a police car on the Grand Central Parkway service road near Parsons Boulevard.
Following the crash, Rodriguez-Cruz was arrested and taken to the 103rd Precinct building for processing. It was here that he was accused of acting disorderly and attacking a police sergeant, biting off a part of his finger.
The charges against Rodriguez-Cruz include assault with intent to cause disfigurement, assaulting a police officer, injuring an on-duty officer, reckless endangerment, fleeing a traffic stop, driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, operating an unregistered vehicle, driving while apparently impaired and refusing to take a breath test. Despite the charges, Rodriguez-Cruz pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on Friday. He is currently being held on a $250,000 bail.