by Stolen Hyundai races across golf course
On Sunday afternoon, visitors to the Lakeshore Country Club in Greece, New York, witnessed an unusual event. A stolen 2019 Hyundai Tucson drove onto the golf course, pursued by police. This came as a real shock to players trying to enjoy a peaceful day.
How the chase began
According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, one of their automatic license plate readers detected the stolen Tucson heading north on Lake Avenue near Latta Road at 4:42 p.m. on June 21. Police attempted to stop the SUV, but instead of complying, the driver decided to flee.
Race on the lawn
During the pursuit in a Dodge Charger, the Hyundai left the road and entered the grounds of the Lakeshore Golf Club. The vehicle drove across several manicured fairways. Video footage taken by players shows a dark red Tucson crossing green lawns, relentlessly followed by a black Charger. Another recording captured the moment the driver jumped out of the still-moving Tucson and attempted to flee on foot.
“A sovereign citizen rejects police authority, and the PIT maneuver sends his Hyundai flying”
Arrest and charges
The man was soon apprehended. He was identified as 19-year-old Zachary Granito-Herz. He faces multiple felony and misdemeanor charges, including third-degree criminal possession of stolen property, third-degree criminal mischief, and third-degree unlawful fleeing from police in a vehicle. The teenager is also charged with reckless driving and resisting arrest, and was issued fifteen traffic tickets.
Police report that the teenager had previously been involved in car theft and pursuit cases. After court, he was sent to the Monroe County Jail on $5,000 cash bail.
“This incident is another example of how the decisions of one repeat offender can put innocent members of our community at risk,” said Sheriff Todd K. Baxter. “Those who choose to steal vehicles and endanger our community should know that we will hold them accountable and work every day to protect our community.”
It is worth noting that the use of automatic license plate readers is becoming an increasingly common tool in police work, allowing for quick detection of stolen vehicles. However, cases like this also highlight the risks associated with high-speed pursuits, especially in public recreation areas. While the teenager was apprehended, damage to the golf club property and the potential threat to players raise questions about the balance between law enforcement effectiveness and public safety. The case also demonstrates that even relatively inexpensive vehicles like the Hyundai Tucson can be targets for theft, and repeat offenders, despite previous police contacts, continue to commit crimes.
