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ATV driver who ran over cop caught, charged with attempted murder

Kenny Ortiz, 31, was arrested late Thursday on charges of attempted murder of a police officer among other charges

By Anthony M. Destefano
Newsday

QUEENS — A 31-year-old Queens man was arrested late Thursday on charges of attempted murder after he allegedly ran over and seriously injured an NYPD detective from Long Island with an ATV Sunday, officials said.

Charged with attempted murder of a police officer, assault with a serious weapon, reckless driving and other offenses was Kenny Ortiz, of 97-21 94th St., Jamaica, according to a police spokesman.

Police said that at 3:37 p.m. March 2, Ortiz was stopped by police while he was erratically driving an ATV near the intersection of Pitkin and Lincoln avenues in East New York, Brooklyn.

But as the officers approached, Ortiz attempted to leave the scene and wound up dragging Det. Matthew McClusky, 40, and running over his leg. Ortiz, who witnesses said was wearing a helmet emblazoned with white skulls, then abandoned the all-terrain vehicle, investigators said.

A police spokesman said McClusky was in stable condition Friday and had been released from Jamaica Hospital Medical Center.

A spokeswoman for the Brooklyn district attorney’s office said Ortiz was awaiting arraignment late Friday.

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