Freeport Man Arrested After Hit-and-Run, Fleeing Police in West Hempstead

A Freeport man was arrested on Thursday afternoon after allegedly fleeing from New York State Police and hitting another car on the Southern State Parkway in West Hempstead.

According to state police, at 12:41 p.m., a trooper attempted to stop an Acura for speeding at 94 mph in a 55 mph zone on the eastbound side of the Southern State Parkway near exit 17.

The Acura, which was being operated by Hamlet Pennicooke, 23, of Freeport, left the roadway, entered the shoulder to avoid traffic and exited the parkway at exit 17N, Hempstead Avenue, police said.

According to police, the Acura struck a BMW, causing injury to the operator, and continued to flee. A second trooper attempted to stop the vehicle at Cornwell Avenue and Hempstead Avenue with no success.

According to a witness, the Acura cut across the grass near the east side of the parking lot and continued toward Eagle Avenue.

Pennicooke fled to Harold J. Walker Memorial Park on Woodfield Road in Lakeview, where he then fled on foot into a wooded area, police said. Troopers were assisted by Nassau County Police Officers and a Nassau County K-9 Officer. Pennicooke was eventually apprehended by a Nassau County K-9.

Pennicooke was arrested for reckless endangerment first degree,, fleeing an officer in a motor vehicle, resisting arrest, leaving the scene of a personal injury auto accident and 15 traffic violations. The defendant was held for arraignment in Nassau County First District Court.