Route 9 License Plate Reader Hit Leads To Grand Larceny Suspect After Car Chase

PHILLIPSTOWN, NY — A license plate reader led law enforcement to a felony suspect, but not before the driver made a desperate attempt to evade justice, according to the Putnam County Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff Brian Hess said 26-year-old Demitri A. Salmon, of Poughkeepsie, was arrested following a traffic stop in the Town of Philipstown.

On Nov. 28, at 1:29 p.m., the Westchester/Putnam Real Time Crime Center (RTC) notified Putnam patrols of a license plate reader hit related to a prior grand larceny investigation in the Town of Southeast. A deputy located the vehicle on Route 9 and made a traffic stop, but as the deputy approached, the driver fled. The vehicle was located a short time later, and Salmon was taken into custody.

A woman and a four-year-old were also in the vehicle, according to the sheriff. Both were unharmed and released to family members.

Salmon was charged with several misdemeanors, including reckless driving, aggravated unlicensed operation, fleeing an officer, possession of a forged instrument, obstructing governmental administration, reckless endangerment, and endangering the welfare of a child, along with traffic violations.

Salmon was charged with one count of grand larceny connected to the felony investigation, and one count of criminal possession of stolen property, related to an incident at a business in the Town of Southeast on Nov. 3.

He was arraigned in the Town of Philipstown Court, released on his own recognizance, and turned over to the New York State Police on an outstanding warrant, according to authorities.