DA: Man Ordered to Make $1M Restitution After 'Path of Destruction' with Mack Truck

An Elmont man was sentenced Wednesday after admitting to stealing a mack truck and slamming into multiple utility poles in August 2013, according to the Nassau County District Attorney’s office.

Joel Grasman, 54, who had already spent seven months in prison, was sentenced to time served, five years of probation, and was ordered to pay a restitution of $1,001,319.98, officials said.

Grasman pleaded guilty in April 2014 to second-degree criminal possession of stolen property, fourth-degree criminal mischief, and second-degree criminal tampering, the DA said.

“The defendant caused a tremendous amount of destruction in a short period of time and thousands of families were impacted by his actions,” said Acting DA Madeline Singas, who originally recommended a sentence of between two and six years. “By stealing the truck and knocking down so many power lines, the defendant inconvenienced thousands of Long Islanders – including seniors and the infirm – who need electricity in their homes.”

At 1 a.m. on Aug. 27, Grasman loaded a Mack “boom” truck with welding equipment at an MTA facility where he worked, officials said.

After unloading the equipment at his home in Elmont, Grasman tried to drive the truck with the boom in the upright position, the DA said. During his mile-long drive, Grasman took out trees, telephone poles, traffic signals, and utility wires and caused more than $1,000,000 in damages, authorities said.

Grasman was caught later that day by Nassau Police after leaving the truck on a Southern State Parkway entrance ramp in Valley Stream, authorities said.

Image via NCPD