Birthday Chase, Arrest In Harrison

HARRISON, NY — A Connecticut man spent his 18th birthday with the Harrison Police Department after police searched for him, then chased him through Silver Lake.

Police said the incident began at 3:37 a.m. when a resident called 911 to report that three men were trying to open the doors of several cars on Pearl Street.

Responding, Officer Biberaj saw a Subaru Outback driving away. The car turned down Edward Street to elude him and crashed into a fence. The driver then ran off, police said.

Harrison police, assisted by officers from neighboring departments, began to canvass the area. They spotted a man walking near Beechwood Avenue and Pine Street.

Police said the man, who appeared out of breath and who was covered in mud, claimed he was walking home after visiting his girlfriend but was unable to provide her address. He also claimed to live at a specific residence on Pine Street. As an officer was attempting to verify that claim, the man ran off again, police said.

Officers chased him through a rear yard on Underhill Place and into a wooded area. They tased him and took him into custody, police said.

The man, who turned 18 on Monday, was identified as a Danbury, Connecticut resident, police said. He was charged with Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, a felony, after it was determined the vehicle he was using had been stolen in White Plains.

"Harrison and other communities in Westchester County continue to be targeted by persons who come here in the middle of the night seeking to steal motor vehicles or the contents of motor vehicles," said Harrison Police Chief John T. Vasta. "I am grateful to the alert resident who noticed this activity and promptly called 911. I commend our officers for their decisive actions and successful apprehension of this person."

Vasta noted that Harrison Police have continually urged residents to lock their vehicles at night, report any suspicious activity immediately and wait for officers to arrive rather than intervene personally.

"All of those things occurred in this instance and an arrest was made safely and successfully," Vasta said. "This is how the Harrison Police and our community can work in partnership to prevent crime and apprehend those who are responsible when it occurs."