Rockville Centre cop hurt by Oceanside man's getaway car

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An Oceanside man was arrested after his getaway car — in which he was a passenger — hit a Rockville Centre police officer.

On July 13 at 4:03 a.m., Rockville Centre police officers responded to a house on Broadway for a theft from a car in progress. When they arrived, they saw a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox with its headlights off and Michigan license plates.

As they approached to investigate, the car sped northbound, turning right onto to Judson Place, colliding with a Rockville Centre Police car turning left, injuring an officer on his neck and head.

After the cars crashed, the driver of the Chevrolet fled on foot into a backyard and is still at large. The passenger in the car, Jahni Robinson, 18, of Oceanside was arrested at the scene.

Police later determined that the Chevrolet had been stolen from Uniondale several hours earlier, and that Robinson had been involved in two other thefts from cars — one also on Broadway and one on Morningside Drive in Westbury on the same day. Rockville Centre police say they recovered a knife and a Garmin GPS.

A North Shore ambulance took the injured Rockville Centre police officer to South Nassau Communities Hospital, where he was treated and released that day. No one else was injured.

Robinson was charged with third-degree criminal possession of stolen property worth more than $3,000, two counts of fifth degree criminal possession of stolen property, fourth-degree grand larceny and attempted petit larceny. He was arraigned on July 14 in First District Court in Hempstead. He is being held on bail of $25,000 bond or cash. His next court date is scheduled for July 18.

Nassau County Detectives are trying to find the driver of the car and ask that anyone with information call (516) 573-6154. All callers will remain anonymous.