A Hampton Bays man was convicted of assaulting two Southampton Town police officers who were trying to arrest him following a pursuit in October 2025, Suffolk County prosecutors said.
Terrell Harris, 39, was found guilty by a jury Thursday, Aug. 20, of two counts of second-degree assault and related charges, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney.
Prosecutors said the incident began during the early morning hours of Oct. 19, 2025, when a Southampton Town police officer responded to a call for service at Harris’ Hampton Bays residence.
Harris immediately drove away in an SUV when the officer arrived, according to evidence presented at trial.
A database check revealed Harris had a revoked driver’s license and active warrants for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and driving while intoxicated, prosecutors said.
About an hour later, the officer found Harris parked outside the Hampton Bays Library. The officer approached the vehicle on foot as a second Southampton Town police officer arrived to assist.
Harris again drove away at a high rate of speed, prosecutors said.
Both officers activated their lights and sirens and pursued Harris. During the chase, prosecutors said Harris exceeded the speed limit before eventually stopping in his own driveway.
When the officers tried to arrest him, Harris became combative and repeatedly punched both officers, causing injuries, according to the district attorney’s office.
Additional officers responded and subdued Harris before taking him into custody.
Both injured officers were transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center for treatment.
Following a jury trial before Acting Supreme Court Justice Bryan Browns, Harris was convicted of two counts of second-degree assault, both Class D violent felonies; resisting arrest, a Class A misdemeanor; second-degree unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, an unclassified misdemeanor; and speeding, an infraction.
“Assaults on law enforcement in Suffolk County will never be tolerated, and my office will hold dangerous individuals like this fully accountable,” Tierney said following the verdict.
Harris was remanded after the jury returned its verdict.
He is scheduled to return to court Sept. 22 for sentencing and faces up to seven years on the top count, according to prosecutors.
Photo: SCDA
