TOWN OF POUGHKEEPSIE – A 29-year-old homeless man has been arrested after Poughkeepsie Town Police investigated a stolen car complaint. The man, identified as Frank Booth, is a known associate of habitual car thief Franz Bakter. The two were arrested last week while sitting in a stolen car. (That story can be read HERE.)
Booth’s latest arrest happened on Wednesday after police responded to a report of a car that was stolen from the parking lot of R&K Deli at 737 Main Street at 4:25 a.m. The owner of the car admitted that they had left the car running and unoccupied while going into the store.
Almost one hour later, Town of Poughkeepsie patrol officers spotted the vehicle being driven by Booth on New Hackensack Road near Raymond Avenue. They attempted to perform a traffic stop but Booth sped off and led police on a chase to Hoffman Avenue in the city, where he got out of the vehicle and ran away on foot.
Booth was located a short time later on the roof of a residence on Worrall Avenue. Once officers made contact with him, he attempted to jump off the roof in an effort to avoid apprehension, but police were able to physically prevent him from jumping. He then struggled with officers before they were able to take him into custody.
In addition to the December 11 arrest in the City of Poughkeepsie, Booth was arrested by town police on December 9 for stealing a vehicle from the area of Main Street and North Grand Avenue.
For Wednesday’s criminal behavior, Booth was arraigned on felony grand larceny and the misdemeanors of unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, resisting arrest, and obstruction of governmental administration. He was given appearance tickets for the latest charges and then turned over to the State Police who had outstanding warrants for him.
