Man arrested for possessing a stolen handgun after fleeing from police
NEW YORK STATE POLICE
Major Richard L. Mazzone
Troop K Commander
Pleasant Valley, New York – On January 16, 2019, the New York State Police from the Poughkeepsie barracks arrested Jose Santiago Cruz, age 40, of Albany, NY, for Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd degree, a class C felony, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 3rd degree (Large capacity ammunition feeding device), a class D felony, and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the 4th degree.
On January 16, 2019, at approximately 8: 35 p.m., State Police conducted a vehicle and traffic stop on a 2018 Nissan Altima on the Taconic State Parkway for speeding. The operator and sole occupant of the vehicle, provided the Trooper with a New York State Identification Card. An investigation revealed that the driver did not possess a valid driver’s license. When informed the vehicle was going to be impounded, the operator became irate. Further investigation revealed that Santiago Cruz was armed with what was later determined to be a stolen handgun. As the Trooper attempted to place the suspect in custody, a lengthy struggle ensued. Santiago Cruz was able to free himself from the Trooper, and fled on foot into the nearby wooded area.
City of Poughkeepsie Police Officer Williams and K9 Ace responded to the scene and conducted a track. The suspect was located approximately 45 minutes later, and placed in custody.
The defendant was arraigned in the Town of Pleasant Valley Court where he was remanded to the Dutchess County Jail in lieu of $200,000 cash bail or $400,000 bond.
Throughout the investigation, Cruz provided a false identity to police. After arraignment, Jose Santiago Cruz was positively identified as the suspect, and bail was revoked by the Town of Pleasant Valley Court.
State Police were assisted by the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office, City of Poughkeepsie Police, New York City Police Department, Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Department of Motor Vehicle Investigators and the Mount Vernon Police Department.
