Police arrested a man after he tried to escape with a stolen work van loaded with tools in Brooklyn Tuesday night.
The van, belonging to Hi-Lo Equipment Services of Ronkonkoma, New York, was taken from a worksite on the South Conduit near Linden Blvd at about 3 p.m. A woman who identified herself as the daughter of the company owner, said this was the second van stolen from the worksite, this one loaded with thousands of dollars worth of tools and equipment.
Police from the 73rd Precinct spotted the van at about 5 p.m. traveling east on Belmont Avenue and attempted to pull it over at Mother Gaston Blvd. Instead, the van driver struck the police SUV, but was still cornered by responding cops.
The driver was then taken into custody without further incident. A police commander on the scene said no officers were injured during the brief incident. A 25-year-old man was taken into custody, officials say.
“This was the second time,” said Stefanie, daughter of the owner. “The van was completely locked up and still, they got in and stole it. I don’t know how they do it.”
The suspect, not yet identified, was charged with grand larceny auto. The van theft added to the NYPD total vehicle thefts that has been reported to have jumped nearly 150% over the last year.
