Cops: Driver in Merrick Hit-and-Run Was in Stolen Car

A Queens man was charged with breaking into a Bellmore business after he left the scene of an accident Saturday, according to Nassau County Police.

At 8:25 a.m., police received a 911 call reporting someone leaving the scene of a car accident at Sunrise Highway and Babylon Turnpike in Merrick, police said. The 33-year-old victim had followed the fleeing car stayed on the phone with police to tell them the location, cops said.

Cops stopped the car, which was driven by Mario Bonilla, 21, of Kew Gardens, at the ramp of the Meadowbrook Parkway, officials said. Bonilla could not give police a valid driver’s license, nor did he provide a registration for the 2014 Ford Edge he was driving, cops said.

Police later discovered Bonilla had broken a window at South Bellmore Auto Care, located at 2501 Merrick Road, stolen keys to the Ford Edge, and driven away in it, authorities said.

Bonilla was taken into custody at the scene and charged with third-degree burglary, fourth-degree grand larceny, and multiple vehicle and traffic violations. He will be arraigned Sunday at First District Court in Hempstead.