Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that John Imbasciani, 45, of Mastic, was indicted on Assault, Reckless Endangerment, and other related charges, for allegedly throwing a glass bottle at a police officer and then crashing his vehicle into a marked police vehicle during a pursuit.
“Protecting our police officers in the performance of their duties is of the utmost importance,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Those that seek to avoid apprehension and endanger our officers will be held accountable.”
According to the investigation, on August 17, 2023, Imbasciani, while driving his car, allegedly threw a full glass bottle at a uniformed police officer of the Suffolk County Police Department who was standing next to his marked police vehicle. That officer got into his police vehicle and pursued Imbasciani. The officer attempted to perform a vehicle and traffic stop by activating his lights and sirens, but Imbasciani did not stop.
A second police officer, also in a marked police unit, then joined in the pursuit. Imbasciani then allegedly intentionally crashed his vehicle into the second police vehicle.
The crash damaged the police car, and the officer involved in the collision sustained physical injuries requiring medical attention. Imbasciani was arrested after the crash.
On August 28, 2023, Imbasciani was arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Richard I. Horowitz, for the following charges:
- Two counts of Assault in the Second Degree, Class D felonies;
- One count of Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree, a Class D felony;
- One count of Assault in the Third Degree, a Class A misdemeanor;
- One count of Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor;
- One count of Reckless Driving, an Unclassified misdemeanor; and
- One count of Unlawful Fleeing from a Police Officer in the Third Degree, a Class A misdemeanor.
Judge Horowitz ordered Imbasciani held without bail. Imbasciani’s next court date is October 10, 2023, and he is being represented by Thomas Spreer, Esq.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney James J. O’Rourke, IV of the Major Crime Bureau, with investigative assistance from Detective Susan Cataldo of the Suffolk County Police Department.
Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.