Verplanck Man Who Led Cops on Chase in Dutchess Faces Drug Charges

New York State Police arrested Mark A. Conklin of Verplanck, New York, following a vehicle pursuit that began in Fishkill May 14.

The 43-year-old was charged with Unlawfully Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle in the 3rd Degree, Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs, and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th Degree, all Misdemeanors.

State police said the chase began when they attempted to stop a 1997 Honda traveling north on State Route 9 for a window tint violation.

As the trooper activated emergency lighting directing the Honda to stop, it instead quickly exited Route 9 toward the rear of the Mavis Tire parking lot.

The driver of the vehicle, later identified as Conklin, drove through the grass into an adjacent parking area and re-entered Route 9 northbound. Conklin continued on Route 9 and refused to stop, police said.

At the intersection of Route 9 and Old Hopewell Road, Conklin failed to stop at a red traffic signal and struck a 2011 Honda CR-V operated by 36-year-old Syreeta Jones of Wappinger. Conklin fled the accident scene and started traveling eastbound on Myers Corners Road.

Jones was not injured as a result of the collision.

The pursuit continued through the Town of Wappinger and the Town of Poughkeepsie, and ended in the City of Poughkeepsie on Corlies Avenue, police said.

That's because Conklin drove toward the dead-end area of Corlies Avenue, and off the roadway into a wooded area where the Honda came to rest -- after striking multiple bushes, police said.

Troopers placed Conklin in custody and transported him to Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital for an evaluation.

Conklin was charged with possessing crack-cocaine and operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs.

He was arraigned in the Village of Fishkill Court in front of the Honorable Michael A. Martin and remanded to the Dutchess County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 bond.

The State Police were assisted by the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department, the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department and the MTA Police.