Hudson Valley Man Tries To Grab Trooper's Gun On I-84

WAWAYANDA, NY — An Orange County man is facing a couple of felony charges and more after he was accused of resisting arrest and trying to grab a state trooper’s gun.

The New York State Police said, shortly after 6:30 a.m. Thursday, a trooper from the Middletown barracks was sent to the westbound Interstate 84 in the town of Wawayanda for a report of a man walking along the highway.

Police said the trooper found the man, who was identified as Jahri Evans, 24, of the town of Wallkill, and tried to offer assistance.

Evans initially gave the trooper a fake name, police said, and continued walking away.

When the trooper attempted to stop him, authorities said Evans began to resist and fight with the trooper.

During the fight, Evans tried to grab the trooper’s gun from his holster, according to law enforcement.

The trooper eventually gained control with the help of a retired state police investigator who drove up to the scene and assisted in taking Evans into custody.

Police said Evans was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and third-degree robbery, felonies. He was additionally charged with false impersonation, resisting arrest and obstruction of governmental administration, misdemeanors.

Law enforcement said Evans was already out on bail for a previous incident from January. He was sent to the Orange County jail in lieu of $50,000 bail, $100,000 bond or $300,000 secured bond.