Massachusetts man arrested following a domestic dispute that occurred in Ghent
NEW YORK STATE POLICE
Major Robert M. Nuzzo
Troop K Commander
Ghent, New York – On December 13, 2016, New York State Police from the Livingston Barracks arrested 26-year-old Mark F. Goerlach of Lanesborough, Massachusetts, for Criminal Contempt 1st Degree, two counts of Criminal Mischief 3rd Degree, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd Degree, all felonies. The defendant was additionally charged with Obscenity in the 3rd Degree and Menacing in the 2nd Degree, both Misdemeanors.
On December 13, 2016 at approximately 8:09 p.m., Troopers were dispatched by Columbia County 911 to the Price Chopper located at 2614 State Route 66 for a criminal mischief complaint. An investigation revealed that Goerlach entered the parking area of the Price Chopper supermarket and threatened the protected party of an active order of protection with a baseball bat. The protected party, a 27 year old Columbia County woman, then reported that Goerlach struck her vehicle with the baseball bat causing damage. The defendant also damaged a 2011 Ford which belonged to the victim’s acquaintance. Neither victim reported an injuries to the police following the incident.
Goerlach then fled the Price Chopper parking lot and headed northbound on State Route 66. Troopers searching for the suspect’s vehicle, observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed on Route 295. Following a traffic stop conducted on the speeding 2001 Crown Victoria, Goerlach was located and placed in custody.
A subsequent investigation revealed that Goerlach had also disseminated obscene photographs of the victim on social media shortly after the incident which occurred in Ghent.
Goerlach was arraigned in the Town of Chatham Justice Court and remanded to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 bond.
