Police: Man who Stabbed Cop was Driving Car Stolen in Scarsdale

SCARSDALE, NY — A Westchester County police officer who interrupted a burglary at a Mount Kisco auto dealership escaped serious injury Tuesday morning when he was attacked by a knife-wielding suspect following a vehicle and foot pursuit.

Officer David Sanchez was conducting an inspection of the Arroway Chevrolet-Cadillac dealership on North Bedford Road about 2:15 a.m. Nov. 8 when he observed a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot. He attempted to stop a Honda Odyssey minivan as it left the property but the driver refused to pull over. The van continued to Knowlton Avenue, where the driver jumped out and ran off.

Sanchez pursued the man through back yards before catching up to him on Dickson Lane in Bedford. The suspect put up a violent struggle, striking Sanchez numerous times and attempting to stab him before he was subdued and taken into custody. A knife was recovered at the scene, and punctures were discovered on the officer’s bullet-resistant vest.

“I commend Officer Sanchez for the courage and skill he demonstrated in apprehending this violent and dangerous suspect,” Commissioner George N. Longworth said. “He could have seriously injured and we are thankful that did not occur.”

Clare Greenland, 53, of 233 Fifth Avenue, Mount Vernon, was charged last night with Attempted Murder of a Police Officer, Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer, Assault 2nd Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon 4th Degree, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 3rd Degree, Fleeing an Officer in a Motor Vehicle and Resisting Arrest.

He was arraigned last night in Mount Kisco Justice Court and remanded to the Westchester County Jail in Valhalla. He is also scheduled to appear this evening in Bedford Town Court.

Greenland has a lengthy criminal history and was deported twice back to his native Jamaica.

County police had increased patrols around Arroway and other car dealerships in recent weeks following several larcenies of tires, rims and other car parts in the overnight hours. Sanchez was conducting an inspection when he spotted the green minivan.

Following the incident, officers discovered a car jack and cinder blocks beneath a pickup truck on the Arrowway property. It was also determined that the minivan the suspect was driving was reported stolen from Scarsdale in September.

PHOTO/ Westchester County