NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — A man was arraigned for attempted murder after striking an NYPD officer with a stolen car, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Tuesday.
Keyah Richardson, 19, was charged with attempted murder, attempted assault, assault, reckless endangerment. grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, possession of burglar’s tools, criminal mischief, endangering the welfare of a child, reckless driving; one-way roadways and rotary traffic islands; and issuance, number, location and condition of vehicle plates.
According to the charges, at approximately 5 p.m. on Aug. 18, officers were investigating a report of a stolen 2020 white Infiniti when they spotted Richardson sitting in a white 2020 Infiniti in front of 34-14 99th Street in North Corona.
Richardson was then seen driving the car, with no license plates, in reverse and onto the sidewalk, almost hitting a young child and adult who were walking by, officials said.
An NYPD sergeant identified himself as a police officer and ordered Richardson to stop.
Richardson instead continued to drive forward toward Officer Bartholomew Tully, who was walking toward the front of the Infiniti. Richardson then struck Tully, who jumped onto the hood of an adjacent car, police said.
Richardson then sped off, hitting multiple parked cars including two unmarked police cars and also drove the wrong way on a one-way street.
Authorities apprehended Richardson on the roof of 38-11 97th St. where police recovered a diagnostic key programmer, which is commonly used to commit crimes including larcenies, and two license plates, prosecutors said.
The injured officer was taken to a hospital and treated for substantial pain to his hip, knee and ankle.
Richardson is due back in court on Aug. 23.
If convicted, he faces up to 40 years to life in prison.
"This defendant is accused of attempting to murder a New York City police officer with a stolen car and nearly striking an adult and child as he drove on a North Corona sidewalk," DA Katz said. "Thanks to extraordinary police work, this defendant was arrested before anyone else could be harmed. I am grateful that the injured officer is recuperating from his injuries."