Drugged Driver Steals Car, Leads Police On LI Chase: Cops

WESTHAMPTON, NY — A drugged driver was arrested in Westhampton after stealing a car and leading authorities on a miles-long chase in Suffolk County, forcibly grabbed two women's purses along the way — and finally, crashed into a nursery, police said.

According to Southampton Town Police, Anthony Sala, 35, of Patchogue, was arrested Friday and charged with two counts of third degree robbery, driving while intoxicated by drugs and multiple vehicle and traffic violations.

A call came in from Suffolk County Police at 3:44 p.m. about a search for the driver of a stolen vehicle who had led authorities in a pursuit from Patchogue to the Southampton area, police said.

At the same time, Southampton Police received a call from a woman in the Macy’s parking lot in Hampton Bays who had just had their purse forcibly stolen; Scala left in the same vehicle that Suffolk County Police were looking for, authorities said.

Southampton police patrol units located Sala, who then led officers on a several-mile pursuit, police said.

He eluded officers and subsequently stole another woman's pocketbook in the Southampton area, police said.

Sala then led officers in another pursuit and drove to Westhampton, where he crashed into a fence at a local nursery, causing damage, and fled on foot, police said.

Patrol officers apprehended Sala after a short foot chase, police said. Sala is being held at Southampton police headquarters; additional charges will be considered after review of the damage to the nursery property — and Suffolk County Police will also have charges, authorities said.