Orange County Man, Dutchess County Woman Arrested After Wild Multi-County Vehicle Pursuit: NYSP

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — A wild chase across the Hudson Valley ended with a bang, and the arrest of two, according to police.

The New York State Police say that on Thursday, around 5:19 p.m., members of the Troop F Community Stabilization Unit and troopers from Middletown saw a 2009 Chevrolet traveling west on State Route 17, near Exit 122 in the Town of Wallkill, in violation of traffic laws.

Troopers received information that the Chevrolet was wanted in connection with an incident that took place in Yorktown Heights on Tuesday.

After police tried to stop the vehicle, the driver failed to comply, and a vehicle pursuit ensued, through the Town of Wallkill, the City of Middletown, and the Village of Bloomingburg, where it was initially terminated, according to NYSP.

A "Be on the Lookout" (BOLO) alert was then issued for the vehicle, which was later spotted by troopers in the Town of Wawarsing.

After troopers reinitiated the pursuit, the Chevrolet made a sharp turn onto Route 209 and crashed into a snowbank.

Troopers attempted to take the driver into custody. However, the driver, later identified as 26-year-old Chandler J. Riggin, of Middletown, intentionally struck a marked NYSP vehicle and fled the scene, cops said.

Soon after, the Chevrolet became disabled. Riggin fled on foot, and after a brief foot pursuit, he was taken into custody, according to NYSP.

Riggin was arrested and charged with: two felony counts of first-degree reckless endangerment; felony second-degree criminal mischief; misdemeanor resisting arrest; misdemeanor third-degree unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle; two misdemeanor counts of second-degree obstructing governmental administration (preventing official function); felony driving while ability impaired by drugs (prior conviction; designated offense within 10 years); misdemeanor reckless driving; felony first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle; and several uniform traffic tickets.

He was arraigned in Ulster County Court's Central Arraignment Part and released on his own recognizance. Riggin was later arraigned in the City of Middletown Court, where he was again released on his own recognizance, with a future court date.

The passenger in the vehicle, identified as 42-year-old Melissa Licausi, of Beacon, was also taken into custody. She was charged with misdemeanor seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance; and misdemeanor manufacture of drug-related paraphernalia.

She was issued an appearance ticket returnable to the Wawarsing Town Court on February 6.

New York State Police were assisted by the Wallkill Police Department, the City of Middletown Police Department, and the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

The investigation remains ongoing, according to state police.