NEWBURGH – A Newburgh man who was
wanted in New Jersey, Rockland and Orange counties, for a series of crimes,
was arrested after he fled from Newburgh Police on Thursday evening.
Sgt. Kevin Lahar, who was patrolling Newburgh in the area of Clinton and
Liberty streets, spotted Joe Smith, who was wanted.
When Lahar attempted to stop Smith in his vehicle, he sped off leading
police on a short chase that ended when he drove behind a private residence
and attempted to flee on foot.
Lahar was able to take him into custody as he tried to climb a staircase
at 414 Liberty Street.
Smith was charged with unlawful feeing a police officer in a motor vehicle,
resisting arrest and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
He was also wanted for robbery in Paramus, Ramsey and Bergen County, New
Jersey; for robbery in Rockland County; for criminal possession of stolen
property in the Town of Woodbury; and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle
and harassment in the City of Newburgh.
