Two Arrested in Ramapo Car Chase

It was a morning for the races in Rockland as two separate police pursuits took place on opposite ends of the county one after the other.

The first chase led cops from New Hempstead Rd. in New City down the Palisades Parkway onto Rt. 59 and then into the downtown and the backstreets ofWest Nyack.

Less than an hour after that chase began another one started at approximately 10:55 a.m. Ramapo officers observed a 2008 Red BMW, travelling north on the NYS Thruway in an erratic manner.  The officers behind the car observed the car to be tailgating, frequently switching lanes and passing unsafely.  

Police said they attempted to stop the vehicle and at first the driver responded cooperatively but then suddenly accelerated across all lanes at an excessive speed and continued northbound in the left lane. The vehicle failed to yield to the emergency lights and sirens that were activated and the officers temporarily lost sight of the suspect vehicle, before seeing it exit at 15A (Sloatsburg exit) and proceed north on State Route 17.  

The officers were able to catch up with the suspect vehicle, which slowed down significantly in traffic. The car was pulled over in the parking lot of Davis Sport Shop without further incident.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as Elon R. Valentine, of 20 E. 3^rd Street, Apt 3K, Mount Vernon, NY.  He was subsequently charged with reckless driving, driving while ability impaired by drugs, and was given multiple summonses for various traffic violations. 

The sole passenger was identified as Paul K. Small, of 145 South 1^st Ave, apt 4D, Mount Vernon, NY.  He was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.