Cortlandt Man Charged with Escape Attempt

A Cortlandt man who was in Westchester County police custody faked a seizure and then attempted to escape from officers when he was taken to Hudson Valley Hospital Center for treatment. Here is the official text of the Westchester County Police press release:

Michael Pelaccio, 22, of Buttonwood Road, Cortlandt Manor, fled from the HVHC emergency room on Friday afternoon but was pursued by officers and captured inside the hospital. A felony escape charge was added to the multiple charges Pelaccio was already facing.

Pelaccio was arrested at his home at 10:52 a.m. on Feb. 4 by Police Officer Rob Kelly on arrest warrants charging him with burglary, second degree bail jumping and violation of probation. Kelly brought Pelaccio to Cortlandt Town Court, where the suspect feigned a seizure while he was in a holding cell.

Though Kelly and paramedics believed Pelaccio was faking the seizure, he was taken to Hudson Valley Hospital Center in Cortlandt as a precaution. When emergency room personnel determined Pelaccio was feigning the seizure, he fled down a hallway in an escape attempt. He was pursued by Kelly and fellow county Police Officer Paul Cusano and captured in the lobby.

Pelaccio was ordered held without bail at the Westchester County Jail in Valhalla and is due back in Cortlandt Town Court on Feb. 11.