Two suspects arrested after multi-agency pursuit on Route 6 

Two suspects were taken into custody Wednesday, Jan. 28, following a multi-agency vehicle pursuit along Route 6 that began in Westchester County and ended in Putnam County, authorities said. 

According to the Yorktown Police Department, officers were alerted by the Westchester/Putnam Real Time Crime Center to be on the lookout for a vehicle that had previously fled a traffic stop initiated by New York State Police from Somers. Yorktown PD Officer Carl Nuccilli later spotted the vehicle traveling on Route 6 in Shrub Oak and attempted a traffic stop after observing violations. 

Police said the driver initially complied before fleeing, prompting a pursuit involving multiple Yorktown officers. New York State Police joined the chase as it continued eastbound on Route 6 and crossed into Putnam County. 

As the pursuit entered Mahopac, the Carmel Police Department and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office coordinated with New York State Police to manage the incident safely. Carmel police detectives deployed a tire deflation device, commonly known as a stop stick, in an effort to end the pursuit but the suspects attempted to evade the device by pulling into the Route 6 Mart gas station near Union Valley Road, where the vehicle became boxed in behind another car.  

One suspect was taken into custody at the scene. A second suspect fled on foot but was apprehended a short distance away on Buckshollow Road. 

The driver was identified as Juan Enrique Padilla-Cruz, 28, who police said is homeless. He was charged with reckless endangerment in the second degree, unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, reckless driving, and multiple traffic infractions. 

During processing at Yorktown Police headquarters, officers learned Padilla-Cruz was a parole absconder from Broome County, where he was previously convicted of attempted rape in the second degree. After arrest processing, he was turned over to New York State Parole. 

The second suspect was also turned over to the Yorktown Police Department for further investigation and potential charges. No injuries were reported. 

Carmel Police Chief Anthony Hoffmann said the incident underscores the importance of coordination among local, county, and state law enforcement agencies during vehicle pursuits, which can pose significant public safety risks. 

Padilla-Cruz is scheduled to appear in Yorktown Justice Court on Feb. 17 before Judge Gary Raniolo.