POUGHKEEPSIE – A traffic stop by a City of Poughkeepsie police officer resulted in a foot pursuit and subsequent capture of a man with a handgun who was also wanted on a warrant from Poughkeepsie City Court. A city K9 assisted and recovered the handgun.
At 12:35 Saturday morning, an officer initiated a traffic stop in the area of Reservoir Square. As the officer was talking to the driver, it was determined that he was driving with a suspended license and had a bench warrant issued by the City of Poughkeepsie Court.
As the officer was talking to the subject, he reached under the front seat of the vehicle, got out and ran from the scene. While the officer was running after him, the suspect tossed a handgun.
The suspect refused to comply with verbal commands and a struggle ensued as officers attempted to take him into custody.
The K9 officer and his handler located a loaded Smith & Wesson .38 caliber revolver along the route the subject had taken during his attempt to evade capture.
City police have charged 38-year-old Rasheem Harrison, also known as “ghost” with felony criminal possession of a weapon, resisting arrest, and other charges. Harrison was previously convicted of a violent felony and has multiple misdemeanor convictions.
PBA President Kevin Van Wagner said, “Our officers are still taking proactive measures to keep the community safe and combat the spike in gun violence, despite restrictive bail and discovery reform laws and little or no support from most of our elected officials.”
Mayor Rob Rolison lauded the efforts of the officers. “Our officers are on the front lines taking guns off the streets and preventing gun violence. This is one of the most dangerous parts of the job and our officers don’t hesitate to put themselves in harm’s way.”
