Man Arrested After Riverhead Police Officer Hurt In Chase

NORTH FORK, NY — A Middle Island man was apprehended after police said he was involved in a high-speed chase that led to a crash that seriously injured a Riverhead police officer.

According to Southold Town police, Alfred A. Cowell, 40, was arrested Thursday at 5:19 p.m. and charged with a host of crimes.

Police said on Tuesday, Cowell stole a blue 2020 Nissan Rogue from a Greenport resident. A Southold patrol officer caught up with Cowell and attempted to stop him, but Cowell sped off and headed west on Route 48, police said. Cowell reached speeds of more than 100 mph and at one point crossed over into the eastbound lane and drove against traffic, police said.

Cowell nearly missed colliding with several other drivers before Southold officers ended the pursuit over safety concerns, police said. He continued into Riverhead, where he encountered New York State Police and Riverhead police, police said.

Riverhead police Officer Robert Sproston was involved the chase and seriously hurt when he attempted to pass a driver and crashed, police said. He was medflighted to Stony Brook University Hospital and listed in stable but serious condition.

Cowell made it to the 1st St. parking lot, where he ditched the vehicle and ran off, police said.

On Thursday, Suffolk County Sheriff's deputies were conducting a narcotics investigation in the Middle Island area, when, at 2 p.m., they spotted an individual matching Cowell's description and arrested him, Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon said.

Cowell was charged with burglary, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, unlawfully fleeing police, reckless driving, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and a number of traffic infractions, police said. He was held in custody pending an arraignment.

"This is a fine example of interagency collaboration that ultimately led to the arrest of this suspect whose callous actions caused life-threatening injuries to an officer," Toulon said. "I am proud of the deputies for their excellent work and role in bringing this individual to justice.”

Riverhead police Chief David Hegermiller agreed.

"Thanks to all of the law enforcement agencies involved in the arrest of Alfred Cowell of whose alleged criminal and careless actions precipitated the motor vehicle accident that seriously injured one of Riverhead's finest," he said.