July 12, 2007
Cop Shooting Suspects Captured in Pennsylvania
The NYPD has announced that both suspects in the Brooklyn traffic stop shooting of two police officers have been captured. Last night, Dexter Bostic was arrested as he and the other suspect Robert Ellis were walking along Interstate 80 near Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.
Ellis managed to run into the woods, but Pennsylvania and NYC authorities were able to catch up to Bostic, who said, "I'm too old to run." Police Commissioner Ray Kelly had said, "Bostick got winded. You have to stay in shape. Ellis happened to be faster." No, Commissioner Kelly - better that suspects are out of shape so the police can catch up!
Ellis was captured this morning at 8AM. WABC 7 described him as being "surrounded on an uphill incline, in some brush." The Post reports that the police found him after finding footprints and food wrappers. The story on how the police found the pair is fascinating - they got someone to drive them from Queens to Pennsylvania in a circuitous route:
From the NY Times:A different driver called the police saying that the men were near the highway. Newsday says police officers from NYC and Pennsylvania exchanged high-fives after Ellis' capture, "but reaction was far more muted" at the hospital where police officer Russel Timoshenko is in critical condition. Brooklyn assistant district attorney Anna-Sigga Nicolazzi noted Timoshenko's extensive injuries - brain damage, paralysis, inability to breathe on his own - during the arraignment of Lee Woods, who allegedly drove and dumped the stolen SUV during the shooting. Police officer Herman Yan, shot in his arm and chest, suffered "extensive blood loss." Mayor Bloomberg said, "I continue to ask all New Yorkers to pray for Officer Timoshenko, who remains in critical condition. I hope the fact that the suspects are now in custody and on their way to facing justice in New York City will provide some small measure of relief to the Timoshenko family during this terribly difficult time.''
The driver, whose name the police would not release, said that he had driven Mr. Bostic and Mr. Ellis to Pennsylvania using a four-state route that went through Long Island, across Long Island Sound on the Port Jefferson ferry to Bridgeport, Conn., and then to Tarrytown, N.Y., early Monday, Mr. Kelly said. There, the driver said, he stopped and bought tuna fish, crackers, peanut butter and water.Later on Monday, the men continued westward through New Jersey to northeastern Pennsylvania, and the driver dropped the two suspects off on an isolated road about 14 miles from where Mr. Bostic was caught on Wednesday. The driver returned to his home in Queens, where his brother, a city police officer, learned of his activities and persuaded him to tell the authorities, officials said.
From the Daily News:
"They told the schmo who drove them that they expected to be in hiding for 60 days," a police source said.When they got to Pennsylvania, the suspects had a change of heart and demanded the pal drive them to South Carolina, where Bostick has family.
"F--k you, get out of my car," the leery driver told them before heading back to New York.
Woods, who was charged with attempted first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated assault on a police officer, weapon possession, unauthorized use of a vehicle, evidence tampering and hindering prosecution, initially said he wasn't in the car during the shooting but then his lawyer admitted his client was there, adding, "My client is not alleged to have actually pulled the trigger. There is nothing in here to suggest he intended to harm anyone. He was simply there at the time." Another possible twist: Wood is a suspect in the recent murder of Queens rapper Stack Bundles.
An extradition hearing has been scheduled for Bostic and Ellis for this afternoon. The Daily News looks at the anguish of Timoshenko's family and the NY Times notes that the Poconos seem to be a place for criminals to flee. And the Daily News' Michael Daly writes that the .45 automatic gun used to shoot Timoshenko in the face was traced to Virginia.
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I'm happy these animals will get what's coming to them, but Channel 7 showed its desperate style of news coverage last night. Broke into a program just to show Kelly's incredibly dull, rambling press conference about Bostic getting caught. What's the point? Just to be "first" with the news? I doubt the other TV stations did the same. Time was when something like that might get a crawl at the bottom of the screen, at most. "Cop shooter Dexter Bostic caught in PA. Film at 11." I mean, really, did it make any difference whether I was told the sordid details of his capture at 9:00 or 11:00? Did I desperately need to immediately know that they were found via food wrappers? Kelly's presentation style was also awful. Don't ever show one of his press conferences again. I've seen better readings from stage-frightened third graders. I'm just more and more disappointed with WABC's "breaking news" desperation. Instead of showing the raw, unedited, boring press conference, they should have just waited a bit and cut it down to its salient points.
I heard on the news last night that Woods might receive the cash reward (39 thousand? can't recall) for turning them in. Did I hear that wrong? I must have. I hope.
I really hope he makes it, but If Officer Timoshenko doesn't: I wonder if the City will transfer the case to Federal court?
The Feds still have the death penalty.
NY State has the death penalty - cop killer Ronnell Wilson was sentenced to death. And I don't know if Woods can get the cash reward- I was thinking the different drivers might.
Jen, that was in Federal court. NYS Death penalty was deemed unconstitutional in People v. LaValle back in June of 2004.
Ronnell Wilson's case was a tad unusual due to the willingness of the City to transfer it into Federal court.
S.D., I stand corrected, thanks.
I think the city will want to move the case to federal court, if tragic circumstances prevail.
He was found in a giant champagne bath tub in Mt. Airy Lodge.
being that they fled over state lines, it certainly can be a federal case.
...and the US Marshalls were involved. So it's federal.
edEx and #9 Good point.
Jen Chung, can you just copy and paste the whole articles?
You're attempts at journalism suck. Or let the other writers deal with news stories, and you should stick with the lastest asian food story.
11
That's rude, unfair and, I might add, racist.
Most journalists get their info from the same sources anyway (news wires like UPI, Rueters, etc).
There are a thousands of other blogs and news sources on the internet. Just go there if you don't appreciate Gothamist.
And I am not a Gothamist staffer...
Yeah, 11, that was a really awful thing for you to write. I wonder does it make you feel better anonymously insulting someone like that? Shame on you.
Your = possessive
You're = You Are
I'm no fan of Jen's race-baiting, college-mindfucked BS but dude...way to give away YOUR hand by misspelling such a basic grammatical construction!
#11:
"you are attempts?"
sounds like you have a case of being just plain stupid.
keep up the good workâloser.
You people crack me-up ! Everybody here gets so "riled up" about the prospects for these suspects it's mind numbing ! The Editor's a "Spin doctor's Perfectionist in training" ( As she should be, I mean hell that is what sells this place !) I'm confident these guys did shoot, and try to kill these officers but at least wait for them to formally be charged with the crimes "they" committed . I mean you all got the tree selected and are working on the noose for the rope already !! Chill until you hear the full scope of charges . Posted by; "Still Not Amused"
Ellis and Bostick are heroes in the Bragging Rights community. I just hope their acts qualify them to compete in the 2007 Sexiest & Hardest Ghetto Black Male Felon Bragging Rights competition, http://www.thesvengali.com/race/sexiest_black_male_felon_2006.html.
Ellis final spry as he darted into the densely wooded median is sure to get him entry. NY has a huge following. We may be able to topple Savannah's 'Slavery Avenger' Michael Thorpe!