Confrontation on I-84 Leads to High-Speed Police Chase

A high-speed chase on I-84 and local road in Putnam County that lasted nearly 10 minutes on Sunday night led to the arrest of a Pawling man, according to State Police.

Police are uncertain why Joseph F. Gibbons, 51, fled after he was pulled over by a state trooper for speeding at about 8:35 p.m. on I-84 in Southeast, but the incident led to charges including unlawfully fleeing a police officer, resisting arrest and many traffic violations.

After his arrest, Gibbons was ordered held in the Putnam County Jail on $2,500 bail.

The incident, police said, started when a trooper pulled Gibbons over for driving 75 mph in a 55 mph zone in a 2003 Toyota Camry on I-84 in the Brewster area. Police said Gibbons became verbally abusive, refused to show identification and then drove away.

The trooper caught up with Gibbons in a pursuit that hit 90 mph, police said. However, police said Gibbons did not stop and then left I-84 an went onto Route 311, although he did reduce his speed to about local speed limits.

Gibbons was stopped at the Harmony Road intersection in Patterson. Police said Gibbons refused to open the doors of his car and was removed after state troopers broke the driver's window and cut his seat belt.

Poice said Gibbons continued to resist arrest by struggling with troopers.

No one was reported injured in the incident, in which Gibbons' car was also impounded.