Police: Vehicle chased in Colonie ends up crashing through airport gate, crossing inactive runway

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COLONIE — A vehicle being chased in Colonie ended up crashing through a security gate at the Albany International Airport Thursday and crossing an inactive runway, authorities said.

Airport operations were not impacted by the incident and officials indicated that the runway incursion occurred on an inactive runway.

No flights were interrupted, officials said. One suspect was in custody, police said.

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The incident began at about 3:15 p.m. at the Macy’s in Colonie Center, police said. Officers responded there for a report of an armed robbery.

A man there had attempted to steal jewelry from the jewelry counter and displayed what appeared to be a handgun in the process, police said. He then left the store and fled in a dark-colored sedan.

Officers then matched the vehicle description to a car that had been reported stolen earlier in the afternoon at the Albany-Shaker Road Stewart’s, police said. Officers determined the suspects in the two incidents were likely the same.

Officers soon found the vehicle traveling on Wolf Road and attempted to stop it, police said, but the suspect led them on a brief pursuit.

The pursuit soon led them down a dead-end of Old Niskayuna Road, which borders airport property. The suspect then drove through the gate and onto the inactive runway, police said.

The vehicle then exited through another fence and the suspect abandoned the vehicle in the parking lot of the Pepsi Beverages Company bottling facility on Old Niskayuna Road, police said.

Authorities located the suspect a short time later in the parking lot of a nearby business and took him into custody with the assistance of members of the Albany County Sheriff’s Office.

The suspect was being processed Thursday evening and his identity and charges were expected to be released later.

The investigation remained active Thursday evening. Anyone who had information relevant to the investigation was asked to contact investigators at 518-783-2754.

Crews were in the process of repairing the damaged gate and fence Thursday evening, officials said.

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