Man Accused Of Child Sexual Assault Crashes Car Into River After Chase

GOSHEN, NY — An Orange County man accused of sexually assaulting a child and having child pornography took state troopers on a chase that ended with his car in the Wallkill River before he was taken into custody.

The New York State Police said Craig Merlock, 45, of Goshen, was arrested and charged Sunday with six counts of predatory sexual assault against a child and six counts of promoting obscene sexual performance of a child, felonies, and resisting arrest, obstruction of governmental administration and unlawful fleeing, misdemeanors.

Police said, around 9:30 p.m. Saturday, troopers and members of the Town of Warwick Police Department executed a search warrant at Merlock’s residence.

He was not at home, police said, but while searching the area for him, troopers said they saw his vehicle around 2:30 a.m. Sunday.

A traffic stop was initiated, but Merlock didn’t comply and fled the area.

During the chase, he drove his vehicle off the end of Iris Road in the town of Goshen and crashed into the Wallkill River with his car becoming submerged.

Merlock was seen leaving the vehicle before it was completely underwater.

He was found shortly before 4 a.m. in the area of the river and taken into custody by troopers.

Merlock was taken to Garnet Health Medical Center by Pine Island EMS where he was given medical treatment.

He was arraigned in his hospital bed and remanded to the custody of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

Merlock is scheduled to appear in the Town of Warwick Court Thursday.