(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Jeffrey Fairweather, 43, of Nassau, was indicted on multiple charges including two counts of Assault in the Second Degree for allegedly crashing his vehicle into an occupied unmarked police car and allegedly injuring another officer during his attempt to flee after he was allegedly caught stealing car parts.
“Our police officers risk their lives every day to protect the community, and this defendant allegedly chose to endanger them rather than face the consequences of his actions,” said District Attorney Tierney. “He now faces serious violent felony charges for allegedly injuring the very people who put themselves in harm’s way to keep Suffolk County safe.”
According to the investigation, on September 2, 2025, detectives of the Suffolk County Property and Auto Crime Unit were conducting surveillance for an investigation into auto stripping crimes when officers spotted Fairweather crossing Route 112 in Medford on foot. Fairweather was allegedly spotted entering the parking lot area of a car dealership and then seen leaving a short while later carrying a bumper, two headlights, and a front grille that he allegedly stripped from a 2023 Hyundai Palisade that was parked for sale in the car lot.
When officers moved in to investigate, Fairweather allegedly ignored their commands to stop, entered his vehicle, and crashed head-on into an undercover police vehicle at high speeds while attempting to flee. The collision extensively damaged the police vehicle and caused the detective to sustain neck, back, and foot injuries. Fairweather fled on foot into the surrounding area.
Approximately two hours later, Fifth Precinct officers spotted Fairweather near a storage facility in Holbrook. When they approached him, Fairweather allegedly disobeyed their commands to stop and again fled on foot. During the pursuit, another officer was injured after he fell on pavement and sustained injuries to his knees and a gash to his elbow, which required several stitches. Fairweather was arrested shortly after.
On October 9, 2025, Fairweather was arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice Richard I. Horowitz for the following charges:
- Two counts of Assault in the Second Degree, Class D violent felonies;
- One count of Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree, a Class D felony;
- One count of Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree, a Class E felony;
- One count of Grand Larceny in Fourth Degree, a Class E felony; and
- One count of Auto Stripping in the Third Degree, a Class A misdemeanor.
Justice Horowitz ordered Fairweather held on $50,000 cash, $100,000 bond or $350,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. Fairweather is due back in court on November 13, 2025. He is being represented by Sean Dixon Esq.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Patrick Waters and Jim Bartens of the Financial Crimes Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Michael Lavella of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Property and Auto Crime Unit, with assistance from Police officers from the Fifth precinct.