LI driver shoots at cops from mini-van during wild Hollywood-style chase: police

Suffolk police shot a fleeing suspect after he began shooting at them.
Suffolk police shot a fleeing suspect after he began shooting at them.

A Long Island man fleeing an arrest hit a cop with his minivan — then shot at officers from his car during a Hollywood-worthy chase that only ended when he slammed his vehicle into a tree, authorities say.

Suffolk County cops were trying to arrest Brandon Scanlon, 33, of Middle Island during a “confidential investigation” Wednesday evening in Bohemia when the suspect suddenly took off in his van, according to a department press release.

As he drove away, he whacked an officer with the vehicle, pitching him to the ground, the release said.

Cops engaged in a gun battle with a driver who fled an arrest, Suffolk County Police say. News12 Connecticut
Cops engaged in a gun battle with a driver who fled an arrest, Suffolk County Police say. News12 Connecticut
Brandon Scanlon, 33, took off after Suffolk cops tried to arrest him, police said. News12 Connecticut
Brandon Scanlon, 33, took off after Suffolk cops tried to arrest him, police said. News12 Connecticut

Cops pursued Scanlon — and that’s when a gun battle allegedly started.

Scanlon started shooting from his car, while the cops returned fire, as the officers chased him for 25 minutes from Bohemia through Brentwood and ended up in Bay Shore, according to Newsday.

Finally, around 7:20 p.m., Scanlon slammed into a tree on North Sunrise Highway Service Road just east of the Robert Moses Causeway, police said.

Cops found Scanlon with a gunshot wound that came from one of their service weapons, the release said. They also allegedly discovered a ghost gun inside the car.

The 25-minute car chase was punctuated with bursts of gunfire, police said. News12 Connecticut
The 25-minute car chase was punctuated with bursts of gunfire, police said. News12 Connecticut

Authorities brought Scanlon to a local hospital, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, according to News12 Connecticut.

Five cops also went to the hospital for evaluation, the release added.

Authorities charged Scanlon with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and second-degree assault.

Police did not say why they were originally investigating Scanlon.

The chase ended in Bay Shore when the wounded suspect slammed into a tree. News12 Connecticut
The chase ended in Bay Shore when the wounded suspect slammed into a tree. News12 Connecticut
Police haven’t said why they were originally investigating Scanlon. News12 Connecticut
Police haven’t said why they were originally investigating Scanlon. News12 Connecticut

Acting Suffolk County Police Commissioner Robert Waring told Newsday that the ordeal was “another example of the dangers police face every day.

“This suspect struck an officer with his car and fired at police,” Waring said. “It is imperative for our officers to stop this dangerous individual.”