Man Was Driving Stolen Car On Southern State With Hood Up: PD

A Queens man was arrested in Merrick Saturday night after police say he fled from officers after they pulled him over driving a stolen car.

According to police, officers saw Rayon Gounga, 20, driving a black Infiniti east on the Southern State Parkway at 10:15 p.m. on Saturday. The hood of the Infiniti was up, blocking Gounga's view, police say. Officers pulled him over on Merrick Avenue, and during the investigation, police say he got out of the car and fled on foot. Gounga ran across all six lanes of the Southern State, police said, and hid in the woods near the parkway.

K-9 units were called in, and soon located Gounga, police said. He was placed under arrest.

After his arrest, police say an investigation determined that Gounga had given the arresting officers a false name, and that he had a suspended driver's license and an outstanding warrant for stealing a car in Baldwin. Police say the car he was driving when he was arrested was also reported stolen.

Gounga is charged with two counts of fourth-degree grand larceny, false personation, second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation and multiple traffic violations. He was arraigned on Sunday in First District Court in Hempstead.