Catskill man in custody after police pursuit and crash

GREENE COUNTY―A Catskill man is facing multiple charges after he allegedly led police on a pursuit for more than 10 miles.

Michael Makoske, 36, is charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property and third-degree criminal mischief, both felonies; unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle and reckless driving, both misdemeanors; along with several vehicle and traffic violations.

According to the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, at around 8:40 p.m. on Thursday they received information about a vehicle heading south from Albany County that was previously reported stolen out of Columbia County.

Greene County deputies were able to locate the vehicle, a 1998 Chevrolet S10, traveling southbound on State Route 9W in the Town of Athens.

When deputies attempted to stop the vehicle, the operator failed to pull over, at which time deputies began to pursue the subject, the sheriff’s office said in a statement on Friday.

The pursuit, described by witnesses as high-speed, continued south on State Route 9W until the driver failed to negotiate a curve and crashed near Cementon.

The operator, identified as Makoske, then exited the truck and fled on foot. Deputies gave chase and apprehended him in the woods, the sheriff’s office reported.

Makoske was arraigned in Athens Town Court and remanded to the Greene County Jail without bail.

The investigation is ongoing and the sheriff’s office said additional charges are pending.

The sheriff’s office was assisted by New York State Police, Catskill Ambulance, Catskill Fire Company, and the Greene County Emergency Control Center.