Police: Fleeing leads to crash
CANAJOHARIE — Sean T. Wilkerson, 28, of Brooklyn, Kings County, was charged with third-degree criminal possession of stolen property; a Class D felony, second-degree possession of a forged instrument; a Class D felony, second-degree unlawful possession of a skimmer device; a Class A misdemeanor, fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property; a Class A misdemeanor, unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle; a Class A misdemeanor, unlawful possession of marijuana; a violation, and multiple vehicle and traffic violations.
Troopers said at approximately 7:45 p.m. on Wednesday, they attempted to stop a Honda CRV eastbound on the Thruway for a vehicle and traffic violation. The driver, later identified as Wilkerson, failed to comply and a brief pursuit ensued.
When Wilkerson attempted to exit the Thruway at Canajoharie at a high rate of speed, he lost control of the vehicle, striking the guide rail and overturning.
The pursuing troopers observed Wilkerson and a passenger flee from the vehicle into the nearby woods. After a search of the area was conducted, Wilkerson was located a short distance away and was taken into custody and was transported by GAVAC EMS to St. Mary’s Hospital in Amsterdam for minor injuries sustained in the accident.
After being released from the hospital, Wilkerson was transported to the state police barracks in Fonda where a preliminary investigation determined that the CRV was a stolen vehicle from Plainfield PD in New Jersey and the plates were reported stolen by NYPD.
A search of the vehicle resulted in locating a skimmer device, multiple blank credit cards and gift cards, and a small amount of marijuana. Additionally, it was determined that Wilkerson was wanted by the New York state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision on an absconding warrant [parole violation].
Wilkerson was arraigned before the Town Court and was remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility without bail.
A return court date was set for Thursday at 4 p.m.
Troopers said Wilkerson was uncooperative with state police as they continue the investigation and attempt to locate the second individual who was in the vehicle during the incident.
