26-Year-Old Long Island Man Tries To Steal 2 Cars, Punches Trooper: Police

BRENTWOOD, NY – A 26-year-old Long Island man faces felony robbery and assault charges after he tried to steal two cars and then punched a state trooper Wednesday evening, State Police said.

James Townsend, of Brentwood, is charged with two counts of second degree attempted robbery, one count of second degree assault and two counts of third degree assault.

According to police, troopers assigned to the High Intensity Gang Initiative were conducting a traffic stop on 5th Avenue just north of 3rd Avenue in Brentwood around 6:10 p.m. when they were flagged down by a pedestrian.

The pedestrian told troopers that a man had just assaulted him and attempted to steal his car. As the troopers moved in to question Townsend, he punched one of the troopers and was then quickly taken into custody, police said.

A subsequent investigation revealed that Townsend had also assaulted a 71 year-old man, and attempted to steal his car immediately prior to the initial reported crimes, police said.

Townsend is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday at First District Court in Central Islip.