Police: Armed Pearl River Man Led Cops on High-Speed Chase

A Pearl River man spotted driving more than 100 mph on the New York State Thruway led police on a high-speed chase in Orange County on Monday that ended when he got out of his car with a handgun and was confronted by state troopers, according to State Police.

Robert J. Altieri, 50, has been hit with charges including weapons possession, reckless driving, drug possession and driving while under the influence of drugs. He is being held in the Orange County Jail in Goshen on $150,000 bail.

Police said a state trooper spotted Altieri driving a 2010 Lexus at more than 100 mph on the Thruway. Police said Altieri led police on a chase onto Route 17, where Altieri struck a state Department of Transportation pick up truck in a construction zone.

The truck was unoccupied at the time.

Police said Altieri continued driving at a high rate of speed on Route 17 until he reached local roads in Orange County. Altieri was stopped by police on Ridge Road in the Town of Mount Hope.

When his car was stopped, police said Altieri got out of the Lexus carrying a handgun. Troopers ordered him to put the gun down, and he did. Troopers were assisted in the chase by the State Police Aviation Unit and Middletown Police.

Altieri was arrested and later arraigned by Mount Hope Judge Joseph Hosking. Altieri is charged with:

- Three counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

- First-degree reckless endangerment.

- Third-degree unlawfully fleeing police.

- Seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

- Driving while ability impaired by drugs.

- And, numerous traffic violations.