Wild Police Chase Begins in Orange, Ends in Rockland

The Times Herald Record is reporting that a Newburgh man was arrested Thursday after allegedly leading police on a wild chase that ended when the suspect hit a state police cruiser.

Police say the chase began in the Town of Highlands in Orange County and ended near Stony Point in Rockland County.

Police have not yet said what triggered the chase. Highlands Police initially pursued 30 year-old Carl Palenik before being joined by NY State Police when the suspect entered the Palisades Parkway. Things took an even more dangerous turn when police say Palenik drove south in the northbound lane and sideswiped an oncoming vehicle.

Palenik was charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree criminal mischief, second-degree unlawfully fleeing a police officer and first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle, all felonies; driving while ability is impaired by drugs, resisting arrest and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, all misdemeanors; and numerous vehicle and traffic violations.

He was arraigned in Town of Stony Point Court and sent without bail to Rockland County Jail, pending further court action.