Police: Colonie chase ends in Schenectady with arrest; Suspect had brandished knife to officer

COLONIE – A Wednesday afternoon chase that began after a driver brandished a knife to a police officer in Colonie, went through Niskayuna and ended peacefully in Schenectady, police said Wednesday evening.

Arrested was Jeffrey A. Hart, 55, of Worcester in Otsego County. He faces charges of first-degree reckless endangerment, menacing a police officer and other counts, according to police.

The incident began just after 3:30 p.m. with a traffic stop in Colonie, police said. Investigator Brian Curran stopped Hart for a vehicle and traffic violation, but the driver immediately became uncooperative as he failed to produce a driver’s license or registration, police said.

Officers made numerous attempts to identify the driver, but failed, police said.

The driver then reached under the his seat and pulled out a large hunting knife, according to police.

Officers then stepped away from the vehicle and the driver sped off going east on Troy-Schenectady Road. Officers attempted to stop the driver again, but he continued to flee. 

The driver continued through Latham, then Niskayuna and eventually came to a stop in the area of Route 7 and Consaul Road in Schenectady, police said.

Members of the New York State Police, Albany County Sheriff’s Office, Niskayuna Police and Schenectady Police all assisted in bringing the incident to a conclusion with no injuries to the public, officers or the suspect, police said.

Hart also faces one count of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, unlawfully fleeing, unlawful imprisonment and numerous vehicle and traffic violations, police said.

Categories: -News-, Schenectady, Schenectady County, Your Niskayuna