Man Crashes Stolen Pick-Up Truck, Knocks Out Power: Police

GREENPORT, NY —A Greenport man was arrested Tuesday after he stole and crashed a pick-up truck, knocked out power in the village, and fled the scene, police said.

According to Southold police, the incident took place on Front Street at 11:22 a.m. when Juan Carlos Lopez, 46, stole a 2010 Dodge pick-up truck owned by a school employee from Greenport High School. While driving off with the vehicle, Lopez was involved in a crash, during which he struck a utility pole, police said.

Lopez fled the scene but was quickly apprehended by police with the assistance of civilian witnesses, police said. New York Route 25 was closed to traffic and Greenport Village lost power for about an hour as a result of the crash, police said.

Lopez, who is currently supervised by the New York State Division of Parole, was arrested and charged with fourth degree grand larceny; unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle; and leaving the scene of a property damage accident, police said.