Two arrested in Valley Stream after driver runs away from police

Two men face multiple charges after a routine traffic stop quickly escalated into a police chase of the driver who allegedly struck two officers before being taken into custody, according to police. Police officers pulled over a Honda heading west on W. Merrick Road for illegally tinted windows on Sept. 3 around 7:15 p.m.

When officers discovered a Smith & Wesson handgun on the front passenger side of the car, they tried to arrest passenger Kai Williams, 24, of N. Terrace Place, and the driver, Shane Nicholas, 23 of Bay Shore.

While Williams was arrested without incident, Nicholas allegedly pushed away the hand of the officer trying to detain him and bolted. As police gave chase, Williams elbowed an officer in the head, knocking him to the ground. The chase continued at a nearby house where officers caught up to Nicholas.

Before being taken into custody, Nicholas allegedly swung his arms at police and managed to strike a blow to an officer’s head that sent him slamming against a wall. The officer suffered injuries to his right knee, ribs and head and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and evaluation.

Williams was charged with criminal possession of a firearm, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

Nicholas was charged with second-degree assault, third-degree burglary, resisting arrest, and second-degree obstruction of government administration.

The two were arraigned on Sunday at First District Court, Hempstead. Theyare due back in court on Oct. 27.