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Police: Man Rammed State Trooper, Car In Cortlandt

CORTLANDT, N.Y. – A 39-year-old Long Island man was arrested Sunday after police said he struck a state trooper with his car outside of the Best Buy in the Cortlandt Town Center.

New York State Police arrested 39-year-old Robert Bernhard after they said he hit a state trooper Sunday in Cortlandt. Bernhard is also being investigated for identity theft.

New York State Police arrested 39-year-old Robert Bernhard after they said he hit a state trooper Sunday in Cortlandt. Bernhard is also being investigated for identity theft.

Photo Credit: Courtesy New York State Police

Robert Bernhard, of Selden, was interviewed briefly after Best Buy store personnel pointed to him as a suspect of potential fraud police said. After the interview Bernhard police said he fled from a state trooper on foot, jumped into a getaway car and then “struck the trooper with the car,” according to a New York State Police press release. 

“Bernhard then began driving recklessly in the parking lot, nearly striking pedestrians, and finally crashed into a State Police patrol car, which was responding to assist,” authorities said in the release, adding that he was later taken into custody. “Bernhard was found to be in possession of five forged out-of-state drivers licenses as well as several thousand dollars in stolen Apple products from multiple Best Buy stores in the Tri-State area.”

Bernhard was charged with five counts of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument and one count each of second degree identity theft, fist degree reckless endangerment, attempted aggravated assault of a police officer and second degree criminal mischief – all felonies. He was also charged with “multiple vehicle and traffic law offenses,” according to the release.

Authorities said they are pursuing the investigation into Bernhard’s activity related to the forged documents and stolen merchandise and “additional charges are anticipated,” according to the release.

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