Man Steals Minivan in Washington Heights, Crashes in Morningside Heights Injuring 3: Police

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS — A man who stole a minivan in Washington Heights on Wednesday crashed into a transit pole and then backed into a police car, injuring himself and two police officers, police told Patch.

A red 2008 Toyota sienna was reported stolen Wednesday morning on the 2400 block of Amsterdam Avenue. The victim went inside to get coffee and left his keys in the car's ignition, police said.

That same vehicle later crashed on Broadway and La Salle Street in Morningside Heights while evading police, officials said. Police said the driver of the minivan then backed into a pursuing police car.

Prior to that crash, the accused minivan thief had travelled through many different police precincts and had struck several parked vehicles, police said.

Two police officers suffered minor injuries and the alleged minivan thief was taken to a nearby hospital with non life threatening injuries, police said. Police could not reveal the man's name because charges against him are pending.

The officers suffered minor injuries to their hands and were transported to St. Luke's Hospital, police said.