Driver Sparks Massive Hudson Valley Police Hunt After Escape

A high-speed chase across a number of Hudson Valley counties ended with two local residents arrested.

On Thursday, around 5:20 p.m., New York State Police troopers from Middletown noticed a 2009 Chevrolet traveling westbound on State Route 17 near Exit 122 in the Town of Wallkill in alleged violation of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law.

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New York State Police were told the car was wanted in connection with an incident that occurred in Yorktown Heights last Tuesday. Troopers attempted to initiate a traffic stop; however, the driver fled the scene, police say.

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A high-speed chase traveled through several areas, including the Town of Wallkill, the City of Middletown, and the Village of Bloomingburg, where it was initially terminated.

A Be on the Lookout alert was subsequently issued for the vehicle.

The vehicle was later located by troopers in the Town of Wawarsing. The driver again tried to flee, but made a sharp turn onto Route 209 and crashed into a snowbank, officials say.

The driver, later identified as 26-year-old Chandler J. Riggin of Middletown, is accused of intentionally hitting a marked State Police vehicle and fleeing the scene.

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Another chase ensued until the car got disabled. At that point, Riggin allegedly fled on foot. He was arrested after a brief chase on foot and later charged with:

• Two counts of Reckless Endangerment in the 1st Degree, Class D Felony
• Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree, Class D Felony
• Resisting Arrest, Class A Misdemeanor
• Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle in the 3rd Degree, Class A Misdemeanor
• Two counts of Obstructing Governmental Administration in the 2nd Degree (Preventing Official Function), Class A Misdemeanor
• Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs: Prior Conviction (Designated Offense within 10 Years), Class E Felony
• Reckless Driving, Unclassified Misdemeanor
• Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the 1st Degree, Class E Felony
• Multiple Uniform Traffic Tickets

Beacon, New York, Woman Also charged

A passenger in the car, a 42-year-old Beacon woman, was also taken into custody and charged with the following:

• Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th Degree, Class A Misdemeanor
• Manufacture of Drug-Related Paraphernalia, Class A Misdemeanor

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