GLENMONT, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Bethlehem Police arrested three people on Tuesday night after a pursuit in Glenmont. April Mahoney, 49, of Troy, Roger Chapman, 36, of Albany, and Jessica Perry, 41, of Albany, are all facing several charges.
On September 16 around 6 p.m., law enforcement responded to the Walmart on Route 9W in Glenmont after receiving reports for an active theft. Police stated that three suspects were seen leaving the parking lot in a Ford Escape SUV, and that when officers tried to pull the truck over, the driver, later identified as Mahoney, fled south on Route 9W at a high speed.
Bethlehem Police engaged the SUV in a chase that carried onto Feura Bush Road, where the Ford reportedly left the roadway, rolled down an embankment, and came to a stop in the soccer fields at Elm Avenue Park, which police said were populated with people at the time.
Bethlehem Police cruiser, dash cam footage showed the moment that car came crashing onto this field. Eyewitness testimony obtained by NEWS10 revealed the scary moments.
One witness said the car was trying to escape police when it drove onto the field while kids were playing soccer, forcing everyone to flee. “It was definitely that moment of fear because we know this area, these are the fields that we play on all the time,” said soccer mom Kim Sparkman.
Another witness detailed the crowds that day and said that 20-25 kids were playing soccer, all the kids and adults were running away towards the pavilion.
A coach said he started to round up his team when the car drove behind the goal. He claimed the driver yelled at him to “Get off the field”.
Another person said they saw the car stop by the woods and multiple people got out and ran from the police. Police said April Mahoney and two passengers, Roger Chapman and Jessica Perry, abandoned the SUV and ran into the park’s wooded area.
Police say no one was hurt and all three were taken into custody.
Another mom said, “It’s crazy. I am so happy that everyone’s okay.”
Mahoney and the car’s two passengers, Chapman and Perry, allegedly abandoned the SUV and ran into the park’s wooded area but were all taken into custody shortly thereafter.
The Bethlehem Soccer Club President, Justin Haviland said, “The Bethlehem Soccer Club is grateful that the Bethlehem Police Department was able to keep our athletes, coaches, and families safe during practice at the Town Park fields yesterday. Additionally, we appreciate the fast actions and diligence of our coaches and parents. We look forward to playing our regularly scheduled games this weekend at our Soccer Plex facility.”
During the ensuing investigation, police reported that evidence of multiple thefts from businesses throughout Bethlehem was recovered. The three now face the following charges:
Mahoney
- First-degree reckless endangerment
- Third-degree criminal mischief
- Third-degree unlawfully fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle
- Resisting arrest
- Second-degree obstructing governmental administration
- Second-degree reckless endangerment
- Petit larceny
- Third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation
- Reckless driving
- Sixth-degree conspiracy
- Numerous vehicle and traffic law violations
Chapman
- Fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance – MDMA (ecstasy)
- Resisting arrest
- Second-degree obstructing governmental administration
- Sixth-degree conspiracy
Perry
- Resisting arrest
- Second-degree obstructing governmental administration
- Sixth-degree conspiracy
Mahoney and Chapman were held at the Albany County Jail after being arraigned, while Perry was released under the Albany County Probation Department’s supervision. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 22, and all three are expected to appear at the Town of Bethlehem Court on October 21.
Jackson Tollerton
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