Officers Injured In Car Chase, But Find Pounds Of Pot: Police

Two state troopers were injured in a chase Wednesday afternoon, which ended with the driver in handcuffs and many pounds of marijuana seized.

According to state police, a trooper was parked on the Southern State Parkway on the ramp to Route 110 with a license plate reader at 1:45 p.m. The trooper received a notification from the reader about a black 2017 Nissan Altima for unregistered/revoked registration and for no insurance on file. Police say the trooper began to follow the car and turned on its lights to pull it over near exit 29. The driver of the car, Peash Rahman, 24, of Jamaica, New York, pulled over onto the shoulder of the Route 135 northbound exit ramp, police say, but then fled when the trooper approached his car.

Police say Rahman drove north on Route 135 and exited at Route 107 heading south. He then got back on the Southern State, police say, heading west, and drove to exit 28N, for Wantagh Avenue, where he got off the parkway. He drove north on Wantagh Avenue, then made a right turn onto Hunt Lane, police say, and another right onto Michele Lane, which is a cul-de-sac.

On Michele Lane, police say Rahman was still trying to evade them. He drove onto the lawn of one of the houses, police say, damaging the lawn, fence and shrubs. One trooper tried to block Rahman's car and while exiting his cruiser, Rahman backed up and hit the driver's side door, police say, pinning the trooper between the door and the car frame.

At this point, another trooper arrived on the scene. He managed to get Rahman out of the car and, after a struggle, place him under arrest, police say.

Both troopers were injured. One was treated at the scene and another was taken to Nassau University Medical Center, where he was treated and released.

While investigating the car, police say they found large sums of cash and six large plastic bags containing 6.13 pounds of marijuana.

Rahman was charged with two counts of second-degree assault of a police officer, second-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree criminal possession of marijuana, three counts of second-degree criminal mischief, third-degree criminal mischief, third-degree unlawful fleeing, reckless driving and first degree aggravated unlicensed operation. Rahman was taken to the Nassau County jail to await his arraignment, which is scheduled for Thursday morning.

Photo: New York State Troopers