SHARE

Westchester Man Apprehended After Route 9 Pursuit

FISHKILL, N.Y. – A Verplanck man is facing multiple charges after he led state troopers on a lengthy and dangerous chase from Fishkill to Poughkeepsie, police said.

Mark A. Conklin

Mark A. Conklin

Photo Credit: New York State Police

Police said they had tried to stop Mark A. Conklin, 43, on Route 9 on Saturday, May 14, for having a window tint violation on his 1997 Honda.

As soon as Conklin saw the trooper’s flashing lights, he pulled into a Mavis Discount Tire store’s parking lot as if he were stopping, but then took off across a grassy area into an adjacent lot and back onto Route 9, police said.

The trooper had been pursuing the Honda for several miles when, police said, Conklin blew through a red light at the intersection of Route 9 and Old Hopewell Road and right into a car driven by 36-year-old Syreeta Jones of Wappinger.

Jones was not injured, police said.

Conklin fled the crash scene and, a little way up the road, took a right on Myers Corners Road, police said.

The chase continued through Wappinger, the Town of Poughkeepsie and into the City of Poughkeepsie where Conklin got trapped on Corlies Avenue, which dead-ends in a wooded area.

Police said Conklin’s flight came to an end after he ran over several bushes and his car stopped.

Troopers were able to grab Conklin at that point.

He was taken to Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital for “an evaluation,” police said.

Conklin now faces charges of third-degree unlawfully fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, driving while ability impaired by drugs, and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, all misdemeanors.

Police said he was also charged with leaving the scene of an accident and running a red light, both traffic violations.

Conklin was arraigned in the Village of Fishkill Court and sent to the Dutchess County Jail on $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 bond.

State Police said they were assisted by officers from the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office, police from the city and town of Poughkeepsie, and the MTA Police.

to follow Daily Voice Pleasantville and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE