POUGHKEEPSIE – A 23-year-old convicted felon led police on a foot pursuit Saturday afternoon after officers responded to a report of a man with a gun. City of Poughkeepsie police were able to recover the loaded firearm and take the suspect into custody.
Police responded to the area of Main and North White Streets at approximately 2:43 p.m. On February 26, 2022, for a report of a man with a gun. A description of the man was provided by the caller and officers located the man in the vicinity.
Officers attempted to stop the man, now identified as 23-year-old Hezekiah Mitchell, and he immediately fled on foot. While running, Mitchell removed a loaded Hi-Point .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun from his waistband and tossed it into a snowbank.
Officers pursued Mitchell on foot and he fled towards Church Street where he pushed his way into an occupied residence. Police say that the residents of the house did not know Mitchell and they repeatedly asked him to leave. Officers surrounded the house and used a PA system to order Mitchell to exit the house. After a short standoff, Mitchell changed into clothing belonging to a resident and attempted to leave the house in a disguise. He was immediately taken into custody.
Mitchell was charged with the felonies of Criminal Possession of a Weapon and Burglary. He also faces a misdemeanor Petit Larceny charge for stealing the female resident’s clothes. Mitchell is currently on parole for a previous robbery conviction.
He is currently in the Dutchess County Jail being held for the parole violation.
