Police ID Men Arrested After Home Invasion

HOLTSVILLE, NY – Police have identified the two men who were arrested after a home invasion in Holtsville early Wednesday.

Police responded to a 911 call reporting a burglary on Morris Avenue, just around the block from Chippewa Elementary School, at about 12:05 a.m. While fleeing the scene of the burglary, 29-year-old Robert Lathan intentionally drove his 2015 Chevrolet Equinox into a responding police car, police said.

The police officer who was driving the police car that was struck was not injured. Two police officers were injured while taking Lathan into custody, police said.

Another man, 24-year-old Miguel Ruiz, who was sought for questioning at the scene of the burglary, fled the area on foot, police said. He was located in a nearby yard by a Canine Section officer and his canine partner. Ruiz was bitten by the police dog while he was attempting to flee, police said.

“[The owner of the home] was able to call 911 and ... by the time the perps were leaving, our police were there, and we were able to take the individuals into custody,” Suffolk County Police Commissioner Tim Sini said.

There were four people in the home at the time of the burglary and no one was injured. The individuals involved are known to one another, police said.

News 12 reported that Ruiz and Lathan were in search of a cellphone that had pictures of interest on it.

Lathan, of Patchogue, was charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, first degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, second degree burglary, second degree criminal mischief and resisting arrest.

Ruiz, of Mastic, was charged with third degree criminal trespass.