Press Release
On January 8, 2026, at approximately 5:19 p.m., members of the Troop F Community Stabilization Unit and troopers assigned to the Middletown Barracks observed a 2009 Chevrolet traveling westbound on State Route 17 near Exit 122 in the Town of Wallkill in violation of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law.
During the initial encounter, troopers received information that the vehicle was wanted in connection with an incident that occurred in Yorktown Heights on January 6, 2026. Troopers attempted to initiate a traffic stop; however, the operator failed to comply, and a vehicle pursuit ensued.
The pursuit traveled through the Town of Wallkill, the City of Middletown, and the Village of Bloomingburg, where it was initially terminated. A Be on the Lookout (BOLO) alert was subsequently issued for the vehicle.
The vehicle was later located by troopers in the Town of Wawarsing. Troopers reinitiated the pursuit, during which the vehicle made a sharp turn onto Route 209 and crashed into a snowbank. Troopers attempted to take the operator into custody; however, the driver, later identified as Chandler J. Riggin, age 26, of Middletown, NY, intentionally struck a marked State Police vehicle and fled the scene.
Shortly thereafter, the suspect vehicle became disabled. Riggin fled on foot, and following a brief foot pursuit, he was taken into custody without further incident. Riggin was arrested and charged with the following:
Riggin was arrested and charged with the following:
- Two counts of Reckless Endangerment in the 1st Degree, Class D Felony
- Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree, Class D Felony
- Resisting Arrest, Class A Misdemeanor
- Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle in the 3rd Degree, Class A Misdemeanor
- Two counts of Obstructing Governmental Administration in the 2nd Degree (Preventing Official Function), Class A Misdemeanor
- Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs: Prior Conviction (Designated Offense within 10 Years), Class E Felony
- Reckless Driving, Unclassified Misdemeanor
- Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the 1st Degree, Class E Felony
- Multiple Uniform Traffic Tickets
The passenger in the vehicle, identified as Melissa Licausi, age 42, of Beacon, NY, was also taken into custody and charged with the following:
- Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th Degree, Class A Misdemeanor
- Manufacture of Drug-Related Paraphernalia, Class A Misdemeanor
Riggin was arraigned in Ulster County Court’s Central Arraignment Part and released on his own recognizance. He was later arraigned in the City of Middletown Court, where he was again released on his own recognizance pending a future court date.
Licausi was issued an appearance ticket returnable to the Wawarsing Town Court on February 6, 2026, at 8:30 a.m.
State Police was assisted by Wallkill Police Department, City of Middletown Police Department and Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Contact Troop F Public Information Officer: Trooper Jennifer Alvarez
Troop F Commander:
Major Andre R. Terry
Contact us by email:
Map Directions:
New York State Police Troop F Headquarters
Middletown NY, 10941