DA: Burglar Who Stabbed Cop Faces Local, Immigration Charges

MOUNT KISCO, NY — A man accused of trying to steal truck rims in Mount Kisco and stabbing a Westchester County police officer during a backyard chase in Bedford was arraigned Thursday on nine charges, most of them felonies.

Ronald Clare Greenland, 53, of Mount Vernon, New York also faces federal charges, Acting Westchester County District Attorney James A. McCarty said, due to the fact that he had previously been deported back to his home country Jamaica and illegally returned to the United States. He was deported based upon his prior felony conviction relating to his participation in a car theft ring.

The incident took place Nov. 8. The DA said Greenland was attempting to steal rims from a truck at a car dealership on North Bedford Road in Mount Kisco.

A Westchester County Police Officer was on patrol at 2:15 a.m. when he spotted a green Honda Odyssey van in the parking lot of the dealership. It had previously been reported stolen.

The officer pulled over the van at a traffic light but then the driver sped off. A high-speed chase ensued. The driver, later identified as Greenland, then stopped the van on Knowlton Avenue, left the vehicle and began running, police said.

The officer chased him through backyards eventually catching him on Dickson Lane in Bedford. As they struggled, police allege Greenland hit the officer several times and attempted to stab him before he was subdued and taken into custody.

The knife was recovered at the scene. The officer’s bullet proof vest had slashes in the chest.

Police had been conducting increased patrols of local car dealerships in response to several thefts of tires, rims and other car parts during the overnight hours.

After the defendant’s arrest, police discovered a car jack and cinder blocks beneath a pickup truck on the car dealership’s property. The minivan he was driving had been stolen from Scarsdale in September.

The local charges against Greenland:

• one count of Attempted Murder in the First Degree, a class “A-1” Felony,
• one count of Attempted Assault in the First Degree, a class “C” Violent Felony.
• one count of Attempted Aggravated Assault Upon a Police Officer, a class “C” Violent Felony,
• one count of Assault in the Second Degree, a class “D” Felony,
• one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a class “D” Felony,
• one count of Attempted Grand Larceny in the Third Degree: Property Value Exceeds $3,000, a class “E” Felony,
• one count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree, a class “D” Felony,
• one count of Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree, a class “A” Misdemeanor,
• one count of Resisting Arrest, a class “A” Misdemeanor,
• one count of Trespass, a Violation,
• one count of Possession of Burglar’s Tools, a class “A” Misdemeanor.

Greenland pleaded not guilty. He was remanded. He faces 25 years to life in state prison. His next court date is Jan. 17.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney John O’Rourke of the Superior Court Trial Division.

SEE: Burglary Suspect Charged with Attempted Murder of Cop in Bedford