Mastic Beach man accused of driving stolen U-Haul van, leading police on chase through Suffolk communities
Police say the driver fled a traffic stop, crashed into another vehicle, and drove off.
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A Mastic Beach man is facing charges after police say drove a stolen U-Haul van while leading officers on chase through three Suffolk County communities.
Detectives say a U-Haul location in East Patchogue reported one of their vans stolen on Feb. 27.
Police found the van and attempted to pull the driver over on Sunday.
Authorities say the driver identified as Gerald Matzen fled the stop in the van and drove recklessly. They say he drove in the wrong direction on Express Drive North in Holtsville where he was involved in a hit-and-run crash with another vehicle.
No one was injured in the crash.
Police eventually found the van abandoned on Lidge Drive in Farmingville. Both Matzen and a passenger identified as Edwin Jefferson fled on foot.
Farmingville resident Douglas Friely said he saw the men running by as he was driving home.
“It looks like, suspicious guys. [They're] running and they went inside that house. But the cop followed them,” Friely recounted. “I see a lot of police cars driving around here in the streets.”
Police say they found Matzen on Dogwood Avenue around 10:30 a.m. and Jefferso on John Drive
“I don't know if they live there,” Friely said. “I’ve never seen those guys here. I know the neighborhood.”
Police say Matzen is now facing at least eight different charges, including criminal possession of a narcotic drug, unlawful fleeing a police officer, and reckless driving. He was also issued multiple traffic summons and was charged with multiple outstanding warrants. Police say Jefferson was also charged with multiple outstanding warrants.
The two suspects will be held overnight and arraigned Monday at the Central Islip Courthouse.
