Newburgh Man Arrested for Stealing Vehicle

A Newburgh man with a revoked license is accused of stealing a car while the owner was filling up a gas tank. The suspect then allegedly attempted to flee police.

Michael A. Nunez, 30, of Newburgh was charged with 3rd-degree criminal possession of stolen property, felony, 3rd-degree unlawfully fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, and 2nd-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, misdemeanors.

According to State Police, on Saturday around 1:05 p.m., troopers observed a vehicle on Interstate 84 that was reported stolen by the City of Port Jervis Police Department. The vehicle exited the highway onto State Route 747 in the Town of New Windsor.

Officials say when the Trooper turned on his emergency lights and siren Nunez didn’t pull over and ran a red light at the intersection of 207 where his car was struck by a tractor trailer. The tractor trailer operator was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries and released.

An investigation revealed that the victim left his vehicle with the doors open and keys in the ignition while filling a propane tank at East Way Beverage in Port Jervis. Nunez allegedly entered the vehicle and drove away.

Nunez’s driving privilege was also revoked at the time of his arrest.

Nunez was arraigned at Town of New Windsor Court and remanded to Orange County Jail in lieu of $5000 bail.