Officer Investigated For Excessive Force After Stolen Car Chase

YONKERS, NY — A car chase involving a stolen car that resulted in wrecked police cars and injured officers has also led to accusations of excessive force by one officer.

The Yonkers Police Department says that on March 14, around 9:45 p.m., officers were approached by a person at McLean Ave. and Van Cortlandt Park Ave., who told them that his vehicle had just been stolen nearby.

After the vehicle was identified, the officers pursued the suspect through the Yonkers streets.

Police say that during the pursuit, the suspect caused collisions with Yonkers police vehicles, injured several officers, drove recklessly, and disobeyed traffic laws.

The chase finally ended with a crash at the intersection of Warburton Ave. and Glenwood Ave.

Police say that while apprehending the suspect, force was used to place him into custody. An investigation into the use of force was immediately started at the scene, as it is YPD procedure with all uses of force, according to officials.

The Yonkers Police Internal Affairs Division responded to the scene and reviewed the actions taken by the officers.

During the preliminary Internal Affairs investigation, it was determined that one officer used "force in a manner not consistent with training, procedures, or department values." YPD says that the initial review found this officer "acted alone in these actions and all other officers on the scene followed policy and procedure in their duties."

"Our actions in response to this incident, as opposed to the actions taken by this officer, accurately represent who we are as a Department and as members of this community," Yonkers Police Commissioner Christopher Sapienza said. "We self-initiated a full investigation and further referred it to an outside agency to investigate. While we will reserve final judgment on this incident until this investigation has been completed, we will continue to cooperate with the investigators until this case comes to a close."

The Yonkers Police Department placed the officer involved on restricted duty until the investigation is completed, presented the incident to the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office within 24 hours, and informed the Department of Justice.

YPD says the incident is currently being investigated by the DA's Public Integrity Bureau, and that the department will fully cooperate with all parts of this investigation.

"I am shocked, dismayed, and extremely disappointed by the actions of this Officer. They are not reflective of the values of our Yonkers Police Department," Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano said. "We do not tolerate this type of behavior. This administration very much supports our men and women in blue. Our Yonkers Police Department is one of the best in the nation, progressing forward in community policing and keeping crime down 24 percent in the past decade. However, this officer disregarded our mission and will be held accountable for his actions that day. We expect the District Attorney’s Office to do a full and thorough investigation."

Officials have not released the identity of the officer at the center of the accusations.