Police have slammed the brakes on two Bronx men whose joyride through the Crossroads of the World left a police officer injured.
The NYPD’s Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested Arfhy Santos, 20, of 3794 Valentine Avenue, and William Lopez, 24, of 1387 Jesup Avenue, on Wednesday, January 17 at 4 p.m. in Harlem for their alleged connection with an assault on a police officer on Saturday, January 13 at 11:40 p.m. in Times Square.
According to police, Midtown South Precinct police officer Ian Wallace was on foot Saturday when he tried to stop a black 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 that was performing burnouts near 234 W. 42nd Street.
The four-year NYPD veteran stopped the car in front of a crosswalk, but the driver tried go around Wallace, causing him to place his hands on the hood.
Police stated Santos was driving and intentionally struck Wallace with the vehicle while attempting to escape.
The car knocked Wallace to the ground as it traveled westbound from 42th Street to 8th Avenue.
Wallace suffered non-life threatening injuries to his legs and back and was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital in stable condition.
The car, which is registered to Lopez, had sustained damage to its passenger side after Santos struck several unoccupied parked vehicles while escaping.
Santos made a wide right turn onto 42nd Street and struck several vehicles as he avoided hitting a truck.
Santos has been charged with attempted murder, assault, reckless driving and reckless endangerment.
His passenger Lopez has charges of reckless endangerment and reckless driving pending from a prior incident.
On Friday, January 12 at 2 a.m., Lopez allegedly drove his Mercedes onto a sidewalk at West 207th Street in Inwood to evade police while narrowly missing terrified pedestrians.
Santos has priors for criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal possession of stolen property and reckless endangerment.
Lopez has additional priors for obstructing government administration, possession of a forged instrument and assault.
Law enforcement recovered Lopez’s Mercedes which is outfitted with an illegal device that conceals the rear license plate with the press of a button.
Police stated the suspects are members of a Bronx car club, but did not divulge its name due to the ongoing investigation.
“As a community board we do not condone such acts of violence or negative use of force against those who try to protect the community,” said Adaline Walker Santiago, Community Board 7 chairwoman. “Police are public figures who have sworn to protect others and they shouldn’t have to suffer against those with ill intentions.”
The NYPD credited the Midtown South Detective Squad, Manhattan South Homicide Squad and the Auto Crime Division’s thorough investigation for helping them apprehend Santos and Lopez.
Social media platforms YouTube, which uploaded the now viral video of the Times Square hit and run, and Twitter, which shared the suspects’ photos, were credited for assisting in the quick apprehension of the duo.
