Cops: Man Rips Chain Off Victim's Neck, Punches Him, Leads Police On Chase

A Riverhead man was arrested after police said he ripped the gold chain off a man's neck, punched him in the face, and fled from authorities in Greenport early Thursday morning.

According to Southold Town police, a call was received at 12:56 a.m. from a man in the Adams Street parking lot in the the village, who said a man had forcibly ripped the chain from his neck, punched him, and fled in a vehicle.

Responding officers broadcast a description of the suspect and his vehicle to all sectors, and the car was later spotted in the Peconic area.

Three police units that attempted to stop the vehicle were led on a brief chase until the suspect crashed his vehicle on Rt. 25 in Cutchogue, police said.

The car was reportedly stolen from Southampton Town.

Police arrested Joseph T. Reiter, 35, and charged with robbery in the third degree, a felony, criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, a felony, unlawful fleeing from a police officer in the third degree, a misdemeanor, and unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation.