COMMACK, N.Y. (1010 WINS) — Suffolk County police arrested a homeless man Sunday night after he stole an Uber driver’s vehicle and drove it drunk, authorities said.
According to officials, just before 9 p.m., the Uber driver left the motor running in his 2012 Honda Accord in the parking lot of 88 Veterans Memorial Highway in Commack.
As he was picking up a food order to be delivered, Joseph Ellis, 45, got into the car and drove away.
The vehicle crashed into a curb and a fire hydrant a short distance away and Ellis exited the vehicle fleeing on foot into a heavily wooded area.
A Canine Unit officer and his dog located Ellis lying down in the woods he was placed under arrest.
Detectives charged Ellis with grand larceny. He was also charged with driving while intoxicated and nine outstanding warrants after patrol officers determined that he was impaired.
He was held overnight and is scheduled to be arraigned on Oct. 14.