Cops: Man Led Police On Car Chase While On Drugs With Baby

A Riverhead man was charged with leading police on a chase while under the influence of drugs -- with his three-month-old son in the car.

Tyshawn O. Riddick, 22, of Riverhead was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of drugs with a baby in the car, a violation of Leandra's Law, and driving with a suspended license.

According to Southampton Town police, on Friday at 9:22 a.m., officers tried to stop a 1999 Dodge Durango truck after observing several traffic infractions on Ludlam Avenue in Riverside.

The driver, police said, attempted to evade an officer in a marked police unit with his emergency lights and sirens engaged.

Police said the man drove recklessly by passing other vehicles in no passing zones, speeding through residential areas at unsafe speeds, passing stops signs without stopping, and speeding through a red light at the intersection of State Road 24 and County Road 105, causing several vehicles with the right of way to veer and screech to a halt in order to avoid colliding with him.

Police said officers were able to follow him to the area of Brookhaven Avenue in Flanders where he stopped his car, put it in reverse, and rammed the front end of the police car while the officer was attempting to exit his car.

According to police, he then fled from the vehicle on foot, leading police on a chase through the residential area until he was apprehended and placed under arrest near Oak Avenue and Arthur Avenue.

Police found a three-month-old infant, the driver's son, in the rear passenger seat of the operator’s vehicle. The baby was sent to Peconic Bay Medical Center for observation and subsequently released without any injuries.

The officer, who was assaulted, was also treated at Peconic Medical Bay Center for multiple injuries and is in stable condition.  

Riddick was charged with two counts of felony reckless endangerment in the first degree, aggravated driving while intoxicated with a child, a felony, Leandra's Law, driving while ability impaired by drugs, felony assault in the second degree, obstructing governmental administration in the second degree, a misdemeanor, endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree, a misdemeanor, reckless driving, a vehicle and traffic misdemeanor, unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle in the third degree, a misdemeanor, two counts of unlawful posession of marijuana, a violation, and multiple vehicle and traffic infractions.

Child Protective Services was notified, as the infant was Riddick's son. 

Riddick was held overnight and brought to Southampton Justice Court where he was remanded to County Jail in lieu of $30,000 bail.  

Southampton Town Police ask that anyone with information on any criminal activity call the Southampton Town Police at 631-728-5000, the Southampton Town Detective Unit at 631-702-2230, or the Crime Hotline at 631-728-3454.  All calls will be kept confidential.  You may also email crimetips@southamptontownny.gov.