Police assigned to direct traffic and pedestrians near a weekend Reggae concert found themselves chasing a motorist who rammed a VIPD patrol car at the scene. Court records say the chase began as the Jah Love concert at Pier 22 was coming to a close.
It ended near the access road at the Red Hook Shopping Center near the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School. The fleeing motorist — identified as Te’Quori Lans — was taken into custody and charged with multiple offenses.
A report filed with Superior Court said officers directing traffic flow encountered Lans as he traversed the area in a Honda Civic. Officers said the motorist appeared nervous, and they became suspicious when he suddenly reached for a zippered bag.
“You all have no probable cause for stopping me, and you all have no probable cause to search this vehicle,” said a statement attributed to Lans contained in the report.
Police said when they asked Lans to exit the vehicle, he repeatedly refused; a taser was deployed, they said, but the driver did not cooperate.
Instead, they said, he backed the vehicle into a patrol car and sped away, running through several red lights. With officers in pursuit, the chase led through Brookman Road and east towards Red Hook.
As the chase reached its end, a search of the Honda produced several rounds of ammunition. The suspect told arresting officers he was on probation for a previous offense.
A search of the records at Superior Court show Lans was arrested in February 2023 for failure to report a firearm or ammunition purchase; he later pleaded guilty to that charge.
Charges linked to the latest arrest on July 14 include first- and third-degree assault, leaving the scene of an accident, negligent driving, speeding, interfering with officers discharging their duties, possession of illegal ammunition, reckless driving, and disobeying a lawful order.
Bail was set at $65,000. An advice of rights hearing is scheduled for Superior Court Magistrate’s Division.
