Police: Suspected Thief Crashes Vehicle Into Wall In Morningside Heights

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - A police chase through Harlem and Morningside Heights with a stolen minivan ended with a crash into a subway wall Wednesday.

As CBS2's Ali Bauman reported, police said it started around 100th Street and West End Avenue early Wednesday afternoon, when a thief jumped into an idling maroon minivan that was empty with the keys in the ignition.

The suspect just started driving, witnesses said.

Police spotted the suspect and chased him to 122nd Street and Broadway, where he crashed into a wall supporting subway tracks.

"He was driving hard. The back bumper was hanging off halfway. I don't know – you know, they were chasing him," said Anthony Wilson.

The thief crashed into the ramp to the No. 1 line elevated subway tracks at Broadway and LaSalle Street. Police said he then tried to back up, shattering window glass that cut him on an officer's hand.

"I had to run off the street a little bit, you know? We could be past a bystander and there you go -- somebody's tragic accident," said bystander Kevin James. "I was kind of scared for my life, so, you know, I'm glad I'm alive."

The minivan also grazed a Metropolitan Transportation Authority bus bumper, but officials said there was no major damage. Police said two people have been taken to Mount Sinai-St. Luke's Hospital on 114th Street and were expected to recover.

But people at the busy intersection Wednesday afternoon said it will be hard to shake sounds of metal crashing, glass shattering, and sights of blood.

"Completely covered in blood, and I actually thought he was dead, because he was lying on the ground; he was not not moving," said witness Stacey Taylor, "and then I saw his arm move, so I knew he was OK."

Video from the scene showed numerous officers surrounding a minivan with a person in handcuffs. The front of the minivan was damaged.

The driver was in custody at the hospital late Wednesday. The road was back open, and the subway line was still moving.

In:
• Morningside Heights