A police pursuit of the driver of a stolen van through the streets of Fordham Manor ended in an apparent foot chase and an eventual arrest. The male driver now faces a slew of charges as he maintains his innocence.

 

According to the NYPD, the incident unfolded at 4.20 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17, at the corner of Bainbridge Avenue and East 194th Street. An NYPD spokesperson told Norwood News, “A 33-year-old male observed his vehicle (2009 Ford E-350) parked at the location with a male suspect inside of it. The victim approached the vehicle and tried to gain control of it when the suspect shoved him away and fled in the vehicle.”

 

The spokesperson said that as police attempted to get the driver to pull the vehicle over, he fled the scene, hitting several vehicles as he did so. “The vehicle crashed at Bainbridge Avenue and East 198 Street and the suspect fled on foot but was taken into custody shortly after,” police said.

 

Police said they later arrested Edwings Irizarry, 45, of Briggs Avenue who was charged with grand larceny auto, reckless endangerment, fleeing from police in a motor vehicle, criminal possession of stolen property, petit larceny, resisting arrest, leaving the scene of an injury, obstruction of governmental administration, criminal mischief: reckless property damage, reckless driving, aggravated unlicensed operator, leaving the scene of property damage, as well as a Department of Motor Vehicles violation of driving without a license.

On Sunday, Sept. 1, Irizarry professed his innocence, telling Norwood News that he had purchased the van three days earlier from a man he would often see driving around in different vans in the area. Irizarry alleged, “I gave him $4,000.” Referring to the day of the incident, Irizarry said, “Two Mexicans come rushing up (to the van) telling me it’s their van. I don’t know what’s going on, so I take off.” He continued, “All of a sudden, I hear sirens, cops are running to the van, breaking the window.”

 

Irizarry, sporting a brace on his wrist, as well as swelling to his arms, claimed that during his arrest, he was punched in the face, hit with an officer’s nightstick, and maced before being slammed to the floor. Norwood News contacted the NYPD for comment and will share any updates we receive.

 

With no workman’s compensation and out of work since a stomach operation in May, Irizarry said of his van purchase, “It was a dream come true; I needed a van.” Irizarry said he planned to use the van for work, taking odd carpentry and construction jobs.

 

According to the criminal complaint relating to the incident, obtained by Norwood News, the grand larceny charge against Irizarry was dropped, but he still faces a felony count of reckless endangerment and at least six misdemeanor charges, including fleeing a police officer and reckless endangerment.

An extract from the complaint reads, “Deponent further states he observed defendant continue to operate the aforementioned vehicle at a high rate of speed, driving on sidewalks, and causing multiple people to jump out of the way to avoid said vehicle.”

 

It continued, “Defendant continued driving away from deponent and numerous police vehicles until he came to a stop when he collided with a parked vehicle and a fence. Deponent further states that she observed defendant exit the vehicle, did not provide his license and registration and did continue to flee on foot.” Irizarry is due back in court on Sept. 26, and is deemed innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law.