In the first incident, a black Nissan Maxima approached the Sheriff’s Department vehicles, swerved erratically in what appeared to be an attempt to cut them off and then while stopped at a traffic light—a potentially vulnerable situation. The driver of the Nissan then exited his car and approached a Sheriff’s vehicle screaming obscenities and making aggressive gestures, officials say. Officers directed the man, later identified as a former inmate, to return to his vehicle or face arrest.

 

After re-entering the car, the driver and his passenger approached a second Sheriff’s Department vehicle and began screaming threats at the officers, then quickly sped away as traffic began moving again. The Officers, alert to the possibility of an escape attempt, called the Hempstead Village Police and alerted staff at the jail with the vehicle’s plate number. 

 

Later the same day, a second Sheriff’s convoy carrying 16 inmates was confronted by an individual driving a black Ford Crown Victoria in a second incident. The driver also repeatedly swerved towards the convoy vehicles in an aggressive manner before intentionally ramming the rear of one of the vans. The driver exited the car and walked toward one of the vehicles in an aggressive manner with his hands concealed in his pockets. As a precaution several officers drew their weapons. 

 

The individual ceased his aggressive behavior, was handcuffed and thereafter arrested on the scene by responding Village of Hempstead Police Officers.