Shortly after 9 p.m., Police Officer Terry LeGrady observed what Police Chief James Read said was what appeared to be a naked man acting suspiciously in his car.

Lance P. Hickey of Shelter Island was sitting in the driver’s seat. As Officer LeGrady approached the vehicle, Mr. Hickey drove away, ignoring attempts to pull him over.

“It’s very uncommon for people to take off on us,” Chief Read said, adding that most pursuits do not last more than a few blocks. This chase was going to end up being much different than normal. Mr. Hickey headed toward Montclair Colony with Officer Legrady, Sergeant Jim Cronin and Detective Jack Thilberg in pursuit.

As the chase continued through Montclair Colony and on to South Ferry, Mr. Hickey’s driving became more aggressive, nearing twice the posted speed limits, according to Chief Read.

“Two supervisors were monitoring the pursuit,” Chief Read said. “If at any time public safety had been seriously compromised, the pursuit would have been called off.”

However, the supervisors determined there was no compelling reason to call off the chase and it continued. “In cases like this, there is always a degree of risk to the public and the police,” Chief Read said. “I believe overall that this situation was handled professionally.”

Mr. Hickey led his pursuers from South Ferry back toward the chase’s starting point. He sped through Hay Beach and into Dering Harbor. “We aggressively tried to stop him” within the limits of safety, Chief Read said.

The police received their best opportunity to do so when Mr. Hickey made the decision that ultimately led to his arrest. He turned right onto North Ferry Road and went downhill toward Bridge Street, ending up in North Ferry’s parking lot where he found himself temporarily trapped — the entrance to the parking lot is also the exit. Detective Thilberg said that as Mr. Hickey attempted to get to the exit, he was blocked by Officer LeGrady, who was trying to contain Mr. Hickey and end the chase.

Mr. Hickey responded by ramming Officer LeGrady’s car head-on. Police estimated damage to their vehicle at more than $1,000. Having established a small bit of space between his car and Officer LeGrady’s, Mr. Hickey backed up, away from the split rail fence separating the parking lot from Summerfield Place, before accelerating toward it. Detective Thilberg said someone may well have mistaken the sound of Mr. Hickey’s front left tire blowing as he crashed through the fence for a gunshot. Having escaped the parking lot, Mr. Hickey careened around the front of a vehicle owned by Shelter Islander Amanda Haywood. He sideswiped the passenger side of Ms. Haywood’s car, which was in the ferry line. Ms. Haywood sustained injuries and the Shelter Island Red Cross transported her to Eastern Long Island Hospital. The collision caused a police estimate of more than $1,000 in damage.

On three tires and a rim, Mr. Hickey sped up Summerfield Place but rather than making the first right onto Grand Avenue, he turned, against oncoming traffic, onto Clinton Avenue. There, he lost control of his car and crashed head-on into a tree. With officers still in pursuit, Mr. Hickey abandoned his vehicle and tried to take off on foot. He got about 100 feet before being caught and placed under arrest.

Mr. Hickey was arraigned in Shelter Island Justice Court, Justice Patricia Quigley presiding. Bail was set at $8,000. Mr. Hickey was released on cash bail and given an appearance ticket to face charges of reckless endangerment, public lewdness, criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 7th degree, criminal mischief in the 4th degree, resisting arrest, driving while under the influence of drugs, leaving the scene of an accident with injuries, reckless driving and miscellaneous violations of the state’s Vehicle and Traffic Law.

The Oldsmobile was later returned to its owner after police determined it had not been stolen.

Additional reporting by Archer Brown