Troopers Discover Drug Stash After Car Crashes Into Cop Car: NYSP

NEWBURGH, NY — State police arrested a Poughkeepsie man on felony drug charges following a pursuit that ended with a crash.

On Tuesday, shortly after noon, members of the Troop F Community Stabilization Unit (CSU) attempted to stop a 2017 Honda Civic traveling south on Route 9W in the town of Lloyd, but the driver, later identified as Christopher Melvin, age 33, from Poughkeepsie, refused to stop.

Troopers pursued the Civic for approximately 13 miles before the pursuit was terminated by troopers.

Police say the Honda later collided with a Town of Marlborough Police vehicle on 9W in the town of Newburgh, causing the Civic to become inoperable. Melvin opened the door of the vehicle to flee on foot. In doing so, he damaged a Town of Newburgh Police vehicle, according to troopers. He was taken into custody after a short foot pursuit.

Melvin was found to be in possession of fentanyl, amphetamines, and crack-cocaine, according to police.

He was charged with felony tampering with physical evidence, felony possession of a controlled substance, felony possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, felony possession of a controlled substance with a previous conviction, obstructing governmental administration, resisting arrest and reckless endangerment.

Melvin was arraigned in the Town of Plattekill Court and then remanded to the Ulster County Jail on $100,000 cash bail, $200,000 bond, $400,000 partial bond.