Colonie man arrested after fleeing traffic stop and hitting patrol car

COLONIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The Albany County Sheriff's Office is reporting the arrest of a Colonie man after he allegedly fled a traffic stop and then struck an Albany County Sheriff's patrol car Saturday. Matthew Merrill, 30, faces several charges in connection with the incident.

Charges

• Fourth degree criminal mischief
• Illegal fleeing of a police officer in a motor vehicle
• Operator without a license aggravated to the second degree
• Second-degree criminal identity theft
• Violation of probation warrant
• Numerous traffic and traffic violations

Albany County sheriff's deputies reported attempting to stop a man on a motorcycle before the man, believed to be Merrill, fled around 12:30 a.m. Saturday. He allegedly drove into a dead end near the Albany International Airport before attempting to turn around and hit the patrol car.

Police said Merrill was taken into custody and transported to St. Peters Hospital to be treated for minor injuries. Merrill was released from the hospital and placed in the Albany County Correctional Facility pending his court appearance Tuesday.