State Police Locate Murder Suspect Near Appalachian Trail in Pawling

The New York State Police helped the Suffolk County Police Department locate homicide suspect 49-year-old Paul Leitgeb of Lake Grove, New York, who was thought to be in the area of the Appalachian Trail in the Town of Pawling.

After a search of the area conducted by State Police, including their Bloodhound Unit and State Police Aviation, with additional assistance by the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office and Metro North Police, Leitgeb was subsequently located in a densely wooded area near the Appalachian Trail by State Police Bloodhound "Darby".

The suspect, who was armed with a box cutter and threatening to harm himself and police, was taken into custody after a prolonged stand-off with Troopers.  He was then turned over to the custody of the Suffolk County Police Detectives who were on scene.

Leitgeb was transported by ambulance to Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital in Poughkeepsie, New York with self-inflicted lacerations.

Job well done Darby!